Friends Of Marine Accused Of Killing UNT Student Shocked
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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The house where Eric Jamal Johnson, the U.S. Marine accused of killing a UNT student, grew up sits in a quiet, blue collar neighborhood in east Fort Worth near Arlington. Police spent the afternoon here apparently talking with his mother. A neighbor who grew up with Johnson was stunned to hear of his arrest at a Yuma, Arizona Marine Corps base.
"He couldn't have done this," Arian Helm said. "That was my first reaction. I'm just shocked. You left me speechless you know?"
"I've been knowing him since elementary school. I'm just shocked at the news. He's a very cool kid. I've never had any problems. He's never been in trouble as far as I know."
Johnson is a corporal in the Marine Corps. He's been stationed at the base in Yuma and serving as a administrative clerk since he joined the service in 2013. A Marine Corps spokesman tells us military police were waiting for Johnson at the gate of the base. When he arrived and was stopped, U.S. Marshals took him into custody. A Marine Corps source said they believe Johnson had been on leave when he returned home to Texas. His neighbor says she spoke with him around Christmas.
"Yeah, I hadn't seen him in a while," Helm said. "I was glad he was doing OK. But right now I'm praying for him. And I'm praying for the family."
Johnson is due back in court on Thursday at 1:00 p.m in Arizona.
No charges out of Arizona (it's a Texas crime). Court officials say he will likely remain in custody for 30-40 days as they determine extradition. If he fights extradition he could be in jail here for more than 90 days.
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