James M. Johnson pleads guilty to killing Milo Warnock, facing life in prison.
Kuna: So, here’s the scoop. James M. Johnson just pleaded guilty to murdering Milo Warnock. This means no trial, and he could end up with a life sentence.Milo, who was 45, graduated from Lewiston High School back in ’96. He was serving time for a DUI when he got into a serious situation on December 10, 2024, at the Idaho State Correctional Institution. He was moved to maximum security after some medication issues caused problems.
Johnson, who was sharing a cell with Warnock, ended up beating him to death. He was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. On Wednesday, he admitted to the murder charge in front of Judge Nancy Baskin. The other charge got dropped.
The deal on the table is a 35-year sentence, but it could go up to life. The judge will decide, and there’s no mediation involved. Johnson has a history of violence and was supposed to be released soon for other crimes. He’s also linked to a white supremacist gang, which is pretty concerning.
Milo’s family is relieved the case is over but feels the system failed him. His mom, Kathy, said Johnson shouldn’t be free anytime soon. They’re also planning to sue the Idaho Department of Corrections for wrongful death, saying the prison system played a part in this tragedy.
Hallie, Milo’s sister, echoed those thoughts, saying the prison’s policies were careless. She believes it’s crucial for prisons to keep inmates safe from each other. The family is determined to share Milo’s story to push for changes in the system. They want to make sure no one else has to go through what Milo did.
