Accused Killer Waives Court Examination

Accused Killer Waives Court Examination

Johnson, Alleged Slayer Of Wife, Daughters, Asks Several Questions

Harold A. Johnson, 38, speaking softly and asking several times
for explanations of the charges and the nature of the proceedings,
waived municipal court examination yesterday afternoon on
charges he murdered his wife and two daughters last Monday night
in their- southwest Ann Arbor home.

He was not represented by legal counsel at the arraignment.

Johnson, charged in separate warrants covering each of the
deaths, was bound over to circuit court on each of the charges
for appearance next Tuesday. Municipal Judge Francis L.
O'Brien ordered him remanded to the County Jail without bond.

The warrants charge that Johnson "feloniously, willfully and of
his malice aforethought did kill and murder" his wife Margery,
35, and his daughters, Barbara, 3, and Margaret, 1.

Site of the shootings was the Johnson home at 1435 Westfield
Ave. The prosecution will seek a first degree murder sentence,
which carries a mandatory life term.

Gives No Reason

Authorities say Johnson has admitted the shootings but still
gives no reason for them. He will undergo further questioning.

Mrs. Johnson was shot six or seven times in the head and once
in the chest. The older daughter as shot twice in the head and
the younger daughter, once in the head.

Prosecutor Edmond F. DeVine said yesterday afternoon that his
office is proceeding on the premise that Johnson is mentally able
to be prosecuted. He said Johnson was examined in University
Hospital by Dr. 0. R. Yoder, medical superintendent of Ypsilanti
State Hospital.

Johnson was confined in University Hospital until Wednesday
afternoon after taking an overdose of sleeping pills following
the shootings.

Detectives said this morning they learned that less than half
of Johnson's 1955 income of $4,700 came from jobs he held.
Relatives furnished $2,700.

Explains Charges

Judge O'Brien several times explained to Johnson that the
charges against him involved pre-meditation and that he had a
choice of waiving or demanding examination.

The judge pointed out that if Johnson asked for examination,
it would be up to the prosecution to establish that a crime had
occurred and that there was reason to believe that Johnson had
committed it.

Judge O'Brien told Johnson the plea and a decision on the degree
of the alleged crime were matters for circuit court.

At one point Johnson, asking about the implication of waiving
examination, inquired, ". . . do I plead guilty?"

At another point he said, "Actually I don't understand what
this examination is."

Makes Explanations

After each indication by Johnson that he did not understand
the charges or procedures Judge O'Brien gave explanations.

After the explanations were completed, Johnson said, "I
waive." Asked if he then understood what that meant, he first
nodded in affirmation and then added, "waive examination."

When Judge O'Brien asked Johnson if he was waiving of his
own free will, he replied, "Yes."

Asked if he was waiving because of threats, promises or induce-
ments, Johnson answered, "No."

Judge O'Brien's last question was whether Johnson meant he
was waiving examination on all three charges, and Johnson replied "Yes."

Few persons, besides officials and newspaper reporters,
attended the arraignment which began at 4:40 p.m. and
lasted about 15 minutes.