Man Guilty of Facebook Live Murder in Louisiana
A Louisiana jury has convicted 39-year-old Earl Lee Johnson of first-degree murder for the killing of 34-year-old Janice David, a crime he livestreamed on Facebook in April 2022. The shocking case, described by investigators as “very gruesome, very evil,” drew widespread attention for its brutality and the brazen use of social media to broadcast the act.
The Livestreamed Murder
On April 18, 2022, Johnson spent several days using drugs with David before the fatal attack. Prosecutors said he beat, choked, and stabbed David inside a vehicle before attempting to set it on fire with her still inside. The horrifying events were broadcast in a 16-minute Facebook Live video, during which Johnson explained his actions and expressed a twisted desire for notoriety.
“You saw him killing Janice David,” prosecutor Dana Cummings told jurors in her closing arguments. “He wanted everyone to see it because he wanted to be famous and he wanted his son to be famous.” Cummings noted that Johnson himself provided the most damning evidence by recording the crime and narrating it in real time.
Swift Jury Verdict
After a five-day trial in Baton Rouge, the jury took just over an hour to return a guilty verdict. Jurors had been shown the livestream video, which left little doubt about Johnson’s role in the killing.
Defense attorney Hafiz Folami argued that Johnson was not in his right mind at the time, citing a severe mental defect fueled by a days-long drug binge. However, prosecutors countered that the deliberate nature of the killing—and Johnson’s desire to broadcast it—proved he was fully aware of his actions.
How Police Discovered the Crime
Authorities were alerted after a Facebook user reported the disturbing livestream. Facebook contacted Louisiana State Police, who then notified the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Deputies soon located the vehicle on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, where David’s body was discovered.
At the time of his arrest, Johnson was initially charged with vehicle theft, aggravated flight from an officer, and murder. His link to the livestream made the case one of the most high-profile killings in Baton Rouge in recent years.
Sentencing Ahead
Sentencing for Johnson is scheduled for December 10. A first-degree murder conviction in Louisiana carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment without parole.
Authorities have emphasized the brutal nature of the crime. “This was a very gruesome, very evil act,” Baton Rouge police spokesman Lt. L’Jean McKneely said, highlighting how the use of Facebook Live to document the killing horrified both investigators and the public.
Broader Concerns
The case also reignited debate over the role of social media platforms in preventing the spread of violent content. While Facebook acted quickly to remove the livestream after it was flagged, critics argue that the fact such an attack could be broadcast at all highlights serious challenges for tech companies in monitoring harmful content in real time.
For David’s family, the conviction provides some measure of justice, though the pain of the crime remains. For the Baton Rouge community, the case stands as a chilling reminder of the intersections of drug abuse, violence, and the misuse of technology.
