Killer refuses to appear for sentencing

A jury found him guilty of murder, but Terry Louis Johnson refused to emerge from a jail holding cell for his sentencing Monday unless he could be unshackled while in court and stand before the judge without his two defense lawyers.

Third District Judge William Barrett rescheduled the sentencing for 8:30 this morning, but said he would allow anyone who wanted to make a victim impact statement to do so on Monday as well as today.

"I apologize for this, but I feel uncomfortable dragging him out here and having him creating a scene," Barrett said. "I want to treat him with whatever dignity he's entitled to, but he has to show us some dignity, too."

The judge said he understood Johnson wanted to wear a suit rather than a jail jumpsuit and not appear with defense attorneys Robert Heineman and John O'Connell. Barrett said he would address those issues today, but said Johnson has been convicted of a murder charge and cannot be brought into court unshackled.

Meanwhile, David Thayne, the uncle of 14-year-old Christopher Mosier, who was stabbed to death in 1993, addressed the court Monday and recalled his nephew as someone who has been deeply missed by his family.

Thayne said his family's innocence and freedom were destroyed when Christopher was murdered and the crime made it impossible for family members to trust strangers or live a normal life again.

"We lost our freedom, now he should lose his," Thayne said of Johnson.

Thayne also read a statement from Sylvia Mosier, mother of the dead boy. "Terry Johnson robbed my son of his future," it said. "Terry Johnson destroyed my life — I lost my son, I lost my house, I lost my job. He is the devil himself. This man should not be let out for any reason — he is a child killer."

Outside the courtroom, Scott Mosier, the boy's father, said he was not surprised Johnson refused to appear. "He's always said he was innocent. He's changed his story so many times. Not to come out when he's sentenced is his last defiance."

Scott Mosier, who came from out of state for the sentencing, said he would stay in Utah another day so he could speak directly to Johnson in court.

Johnson's mother, Lida, who came here from Kansas City, said she would remain another day also. "I feel like I'm a victim also," Lida Johnson said. "My son is not guilty of that charge."