Johnson pleads, gets reduced sentence in New Year's Eve murder of mom of 4

YOUNGSTOWN

Even after two days of negotiations, Larry Johnson seemed to be sure he wanted to go on trial for the New Year’s Eve 2013 murder of his girlfriend.

That was until Judge Shirley Christian asked him in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Friday if he understood he could be sentenced to life with no parole if convicted.

Johnson stared into space for several minutes before telling the judge he wanted to talk to his lawyer one more time.

After those talks, Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge of murder for the death of 26-year-old LaShea Parker in their Shelby Road home, averting a trial that was to begin Monday.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated murder. The mandatory sentence is 15 years to life in prison.

Sentencing is set for 11 a.m. Monday.

Johnson is accused of beating and stabbing Parker in their home. Her body was discovered by neighbors who found Parker’s children— ages 1 to 7 at the time —  outside in her yard in frigid weather with no winter coats on.

Read more on the case in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.