Mom Has No Idea Her Beloved Son's Are Wanted Killers
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖William Johnson was shot dead in his yard, witnessed by a neighbor who reported a white SUV.
- ❖Initial police efforts to identify the suspect vehicle were hampered by conflicting witness descriptions of white SUVs.
- ❖Detectives identified the victim as William Johnson and found his locked phone near his body, which later became crucial evidence.
- ❖Sierra Collins, William's ex-girlfriend, was identified as a key person of interest due to a history of domestic issues and drug involvement with the victim.
- ❖Sierra initially resisted cooperating but eventually named brothers Tyler and Eli Chaffen as the killers, claiming they were unstable.
- ❖The Chaffen brothers were arrested after a vehicle pursuit; Tyler coached Eli on their story in the patrol car.
- ❖Tyler and Eli both claimed self-defense, stating William attacked Tyler, leading Eli to shoot William, who they believed was armed.
- ❖Forensic evidence contradicted their self-defense claims, showing William was shot multiple times while on the ground and was only holding his phone.
- ❖Sierra's phone revealed text messages where she actively instigated conflict and threatened William, leading to her arrest for first-degree murder.
- ❖Sierra Collins died in custody before the trial; both Chaffen brothers accepted plea deals for their roles in the murder.
Insights
1Conflicting Witness Accounts and Vehicle Description Challenges
Early in the investigation, witness descriptions of the getaway vehicle, a white SUV, were inconsistent (Ford vs. Chevy), making it difficult for officers to quickly identify suspects. This led to multiple innocent drivers being stopped.
Samuel Marcus described a '90s Ford SUV, while Victor described a white Chevy Blazer. Deputy Comfred stopped several white SUVs that were not involved. 'Basically, every white SUV is fair.'
2Victim's Phone and Targeted Nature of the Killing
The discovery of William Johnson's locked phone next to his body, combined with the location of shell casings in the street (indicating the shooter exited the vehicle) and multiple shots fired, suggested a targeted, personal attack rather than a random drive-by.
William's phone found beside his body, password protected. Detectives found four 223 shell casings in the street, not the grass, indicating the shooter stopped and exited the vehicle. William was shot in the head first, then three more times after falling.
3Sierra Collins's Role and Incriminating Texts
Sierra Collins, William's ex-girlfriend, initially withheld information and denied knowing William's drug associates. However, her phone, seized as evidence, contained text messages where she actively instigated conflict between William and the Chaffen brothers, threatening William with armed 'homies.'
Denise McDonald provided Sierra's full name, revealing her history with William (stalking charges, restraining order, drug use). Sierra's phone contained texts like 'me and my homies are rolling around strapped' and 'you have some homies that are going to shoot you in the face.'
4Brothers' Coordinated Self-Defense Narrative and Contradictions
Tyler and Eli Chaffen attempted to present a unified self-defense story, claiming William attacked Tyler, forcing Eli to shoot. However, their narrative was contradicted by physical evidence (William was unarmed, shot while down) and Eli's admission that William was holding his phone, not a weapon.
Tyler coached Eli in the patrol car to 'stick to their story.' Tyler claimed William charged him with a weapon and Eli shot to protect him. Eli later stated William was holding his phone, and he shot because he thought William was reaching for a gun.
Lessons
- Always secure and analyze digital evidence like phones early in an investigation, as they can reveal crucial communications and motives.
- Be wary of coached testimonies; separate suspects immediately and compare their statements against physical evidence to identify inconsistencies.
- Recognize that domestic disputes, especially those involving drug use and restraining orders, can escalate rapidly and should be investigated thoroughly for potential motives in violent crimes.
Quotes
"He's got a camera here and they said he was recording."
"I know that it was that was her plan that we go there. And I don't know if she was cuz she was outside whenever we pulled up. I don't know. Cuz she had asked Eli if she if he'd shoot him before all this happened."
"He has a genuine fear of fake police officers. He's actually told me to be concerned about it in the past and has warned me to be weary of it."
"The messages made one thing clear. She had been actively pushing conflict between Tyler and William."
Q&A
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