(This article was updated to add new information.)
The man charged in the deadly Feb. 16 shooting of Beech Grove Officer Brian Elliott is being transferred to the Indiana Department of Correction for “safekeeping,” court documents state.
An order granting a motion to transfer Kenneth Johnson, 47, from the Marion County Jail to IDOC was filed Feb. 25.
Under Indiana Code, the motion is a court request that moves a defendant from a county jail to a state facility. It’s granted if the court feels that the defendant would be in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
“For the safety of Mr. Johnson and our staff, he was moved to IDOC due to the victim being a prior employee” of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the sheriff’s office told IndyStar.
Elliott worked as a sheriff’s deputy for six years, mainly in the Sex and Violent Offender Registry Unit.
Johnson was indicted on six counts: murder, attempted murder, criminal confinement, domestic battery using a deadly weapon, battery using a deadly weapon, and pointing a firearm. He pleaded not guilty during his initial hearing Feb. 20, and he’s currently facing a life sentence.
Johnson’s attorney, Deana Martin, told IndyStar that cases where a death sentence or life without the possibility of parole can take longer to prepare, and IDOC facilities tend to be better suited to housing people for longer periods than a county jail.
“However, the request for the move was made by the Marion County Jail, not Mr. Johnson,” Martin said.
His jury trial is set for June 1.
At 5:40 p.m. Feb. 16, Elliott and another officer were called to the apartment complex for a domestic disturbance. The officers attempted to make contact by knocking on the door. They announced themselves when they heard a woman screaming for help, court records state.
Elliott started to kick the door open and shot through the open door at both officers, a probable cause affidavit says. Body-worn camera footage shows Elliott fell to the floor while the other officer returned fire into the apartment.
Johnson was able to escape, but at 10:19 p.m. he was found in a laundry room in another unit within the complex. A 9mm handgun was found in a small trash can near Johnson.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man accused of shooting Beech Grove officer moved for ‘safekeeping’
Reporting by Jade Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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