A California teen is behind bars after he reportedly admitted to killing his girlfriend and her parents.
According to the Humboldt County District Attorney, 19-year-old Mauricio Johnson pleaded guilty to murdering Nikki Metcalf, 40, Margarett Moon, 40, and Shelly Autumn May Moon, 16. Johnson received 150 years behind bars.
Court documents indicate that Johnson went to hi his girlfriend’s home “with the permission of several minors” on February 9 in Bear River Rancheria. On February 10, a 13-year-old called 911 and said she saw “her mother, sister, and father bleeding out” after Johnson shot them.
The girl said that Johnson came to her home and was hanging out with her cousins and sister when Margaret Moon noticed a broken bottle of alcohol in a hallway at around 3 a.m. The cousins’ family picked them up but apparently, Johnson stayed behind at the residence.
Later that night, Shelly’s 10-year brother saw Johnson on top of Shelly in her bedroom, Mercury News reports. The boy told his parents, who confronted Johnson and their daughter.
“The male subject was on top of (Shelly Moon). Nikki Metcalf hit the male. The male exited the room and walked into the living room pulling up his pants,” the warrant read. “(Margarett Moon) walked into the room and Mauricio Johnson shot her. Mauricio Johnson then shot the girl because he did not want to have any witnesses.”
Johnson also shot Metcalf in the head, killing him. He then fled the state, according to prosecutors.
On February 11, Utah Highway Patrol troopers spiked the tires of Johnson’s SUV when he refused to stop. He was then extradited back to California. He initially fought extradition but eventually returned to Humboldt County in May.
If Johnson’s case had gone to trial, he would have likely been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The DA’s office said numerous factors were considered, including that “a trial would require testimony from young people who have suffered a tragedy.”
Johnson has the possibility of parole after serving 25 years.
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[Feature Photo: Mauricio Johnson/Police Handout]
