Della Johnson made no effort to hide her contempt for a man who was partially responsible for the death of her son.
“I don’t forgive you,” she told David Wagner at his sentencing hearing March 16. “I hope that you get everything — and I mean everything — that you deserve.
“If I could do anything, I’d take you out the way you took my first-born, my best friend, my baby. I hate you; I hate everything about you. I hate everything you’ve done.”
Wagner, 35, was sentenced March 16 to 15 years in prison for his role in the death of James Johnson, 51, an inmate at Mansfield Correctional Institution.
During his trial in December, Wagner pleaded guilty to an amended charge of involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault, both with repeat violent offender specifications, and tampering with evidence.
He originally had been charged with murder. Johnson was beaten to death in his MANCI cell on June 2, 2023.
Johnson reportedly was killed because he was late paying a drug debt. Co-defendant Raysean Howard avoided a trial by previously pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault and was also sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Della Johnson was one of two people to deliver a victim impact statement before Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Phil Naumoff.
She became angry during her comments and started yelling at Wagner.
“You can’t even look at me as a man because you’re no good. You’re a foul person,” Della Johnson said. “I will never forgive you as long as I live, and I wish you was dead, too.
“I don’t have anything good for you. I hate you with everything in me; I hate you.”
Wagner copped plea midway through trial
Wagner pleaded guilty before he was scheduled to testify on his behalf. In his other case, Wagner is serving 15 years for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated robbery, attempted murder, kidnapping, theft and weapons under disability. He committed the offenses in Cuyahoga County.
For his role in James Johnson’s death, Wagner apologized.
“I’d just like to say I’m sorry for the family and the victim,” he said. “JJ (Johnson) was a good person. He didn’t deserve to die like he did.”
JJ’s fianceé, Josia Kent, wasn’t buying it.
“You’re in here for the same stuff, so how remorseful are you for real?” she asked.
Kent called Wagner a coward and a killer.
“You chose to participate in something that took someone else’s life,” she said. “I forgive him because God tells me to, but I will never forget. I hope God gives him everything that he deserves, and I hope you change your life before your family ends up standing here, trying to figure out who killed you.”
Assistant Prosecutor Tyler Ehret said he agreed with Wagner on only one point, that Johnson did not deserve to die, “especially in the manner that he did.”
Defense Attorney Ben Zushin said there was good in Wagner, pointing out he helped take care of his grandmother when he wasn’t in prison.
“Certainly, this is not the life that he thought he would ever live,” Zushin said. “There are really two different David Wagners, the one who was charged and the one that we know he can be.”
Wagner has been in prison since 2020 and served three previous stints behind bars in 2010, 2014 and 2017.
“I’m with the victim’s family in this matter,” Naumoff said. “I don’t understand. You continue to do the same kind of actions. That hasn’t changed.”
Both Wagner and Howard were part of the gang called the Heartless Felons.
“It’s an opportune name,” the judge said. “You don’t seem to care. I saw no remorse from you or your co-defendant. A man is laying there dying.”
Naumoff said everyone makes mistakes, but most people try to make up for them. He said he gave credit to Wagner for halting his trial and putting the victim’s family through more pain.
“That’s what I give you credit for and nothing else,” Naumoff said. “Your apology rings hollow.”
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
X: @MarkCau32059251
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Wagner receives 15 years in prison for role in death of MANCI inmate
Reporting by Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal / Mansfield News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
