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Slain Teen Was Beaten Then Strangled
A 16-year-old Killeen boy whose body was found dead eight days after he disappeared from his family’s home was beaten and then strangled with a rope, according to documents released Friday that detail what police say happened.
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KILLEEN (November 20, 2009)—James Johnson III, 16, who disappeared from his family’s home at 3602 Palmtree Drive in Killeen on Veterans Day and whose body was found early Thursday in Troy between Waco and Temple, was beaten by three teenagers and then strangled with a rope, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released Friday.
Police said Thursday evening they arrested an unnamed 16-year-old boy and 17-year-olds Paul Andrew Cantu of Waco and Victor Villarreal Jr. of Fort Hood in connection with Johnson’s death.
Cantu and Villarreal were charged with murder and taken to the Bell County Jail where they’re held in lieu of bonds of $1 million each.
The 16-year-old, who was not identified, was taken to the Bell County Juvenile Detention Center.
Johnson was last seen at around 7:30 a.m. Nov. 11, which was a school holiday in Killeen, and was asleep as his mother left the house.
He was gone when his mother returned home at about 8:30 p.m.
His parents reported him missing two hours later.
According to the affidavit, Chapa, Villarreal and the unnamed juvenile picked Johnson up and took him to another home in Killeen.
There, the three teenagers “engaged in beating (Johnson) about the face, head and body with their fists,” the affidavit says.
“Paul Andrew Cantu admitted to putting a rope around (Johnson’s) neck and strangling him until Johnson was dead,” the affidavit said.
The affidavit says that Cantu agreed to show Killeen police investigators where Johnson’s body was dumped.
Johnson was pronounced dead just before 3:20 a.m. Thursday, police said.
The affidavit doesn’t reveal a motive for the murder, but a Killeen Police Department spokeswoman said Thursday night the teenagers knew one another.
Latest Comments
i still believe strongly that Victor Villarial is INNOCENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have read most of the comments on here and am kinda disturbed by what I've read but not shocked.. My ultimate prayers go out to the parents of james and his family. Also to all those people out there who have lost a loved one due to a very senseless murder. I have been around both worlds of good and bad, especially being around gang life. Its nothing but a fools game where their days are numbered in one way or the other. They don't have the strength or courage to do better for themselves in life so they cower down to the level of influence by a higher coward. All you little soldiers out there. GET THE HELL OUT!! Now while you can and turn your face on these cancers cause all they will do is turn your life into nothing. Don't fall for that so called honor badge cause it doesn't compare to the badge of honor you get by being a great husband,wife,parent etc. and becoming a good teacher of life. Take it from some one who really knows the difference.
You say the parents aren't to blame that it's the thugs out there. Well what if the parent is the thug...Think about that one.
