This spring Sarah M. Johnson would have likely graduated from Wood River High School. Instead, the 18-year-old was found guilty this week of killing her parents, Diane and Alan Johnson, Sept. 2, 2003, in their Bellevue home. Although the jury handed down their decision in the 4th District Court in Boise, the verdict reverberated through Bellevue and other Wood River Valley communities.
"It is better that (the jury) figured out who the culprit was now, but it's hard to realize it was your best friend," said Megan Sowersby, a lifelong friend of Johnson.
Because of her close relationship to Johnson, the 17-year old, Wood River Valley High School senior served as a witness in the trial that had been moved to Boise because 5th District Judge Barry Wood decided opinions were running too high to empanel an impartial jury in Blaine County.
"I don't really know, (testifying) seemed like the right thing to do," Sowersby said. "I wasn't necessarily going for or against her, I was trying to help them find who ever it was (that killed Alan and Diane Johnson)".
On Wednesday, March 16, the decision identifying the murderer was made. Johnson was found guilty of two counts of first degree murder. The jury also found the teen guilty on two counts of using a firearm in committing the crimes.
"(The verdict) gives me closure because we are not sitting there wondering if we are doing the right thing," Sowersby said.
Although Sowersby said the verdict offered closure, the end of the trial also stirred deep emotion.
"Personally, I started crying. Being her best friend, I feel bad," Sowersby concluded.
Emotion ran high for other friends of the Johnson family.
"I don't think there are any winners. It's all really sad. I think it's an appropriate verdict, but I don't think they got everybody involved," said Joey Jaramillo, a Bellevue resident and long time friend of the Johnson family. "I lost three good friends. It's a sad day for everybody."
Mark Pejsa, a Hailey resident, also knew the family well. Pejsa is the president of the Wood River Gun Club, a place frequented by the Johnson family.
"I feel more sadness than anything. My friends are dead, the daughter (was found guilty) and the son lost his family. My passion goes to Matt, he's a good kid," Pejsa said.
Others less connected to the family also offered their reactions to the verdict.
"My reactions is that I wish she was innocent...deep down inside I wish she was innocent," said Chrissy Brocker, a senior Wood River High student from Bellevue and an acquaintance of Sarah Johnson.
Seth Curran, a Wood River High student senior from Hailey, said, "I can't say that I was really surprised. The circumstances led me to believe it was her."
Some people had their doubts.
"I was surprised (with the verdict) because at first we thought she was going to get away with it," Eliza Storey, a junior from Ketchum, said.
Other people harbored no doubts.
"I was confident in the jury from the beginning. I was naturally very pleased with the verdict. I am still very sad, this is a very sad case and I can't shake that, it is a very sad thing for the community," Bellevue Marshall Randy Tremble said.
