Guilty of killing Delco bizman
Shawn Johnson was going through a rough patch: he had just finished a jail term for failing to pay child support, yet remained indebted to the system to the tune of $20,000.
Shawn Johnson was going through a rough patch: he had just finished a jail term for failing to pay child support, yet remained indebted to the system to the tune of $20,000.
His childhood acquaintance and former boss, Thomas Lennox III, agreed to give him his job back at his auto business the day after his release. But later that night, according to prosecutors, Johnson was arrested for Lennox's murder.
Yesterday, Johnson, 27, of Ridley Township, was convicted of first-degree murder in the Feb. 24 slaying of Lennox, 24, of Glenolden, at Lennox's business, VIP Detailing, on Chester Pike, in Norwood.
Prosecutors contended that Johnson tried to rob Lennox because he was an "easy target" who was known to carry cash. Johnson needed the money to make his child-support payments - more than $800 a month - or he faced a return to prison, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Wills said.
"Thomas Lennox gave him his job back, he gave him a chance to make a living and a chance to support himself," Wills said. "And he [Johnson] left him there to die in a pool of his own blood."
The defense did not contest that Johnson was ultimately responsible for Lennox's death. Defense attorney Scott Galloway sought a voluntary manslaughter conviction, based on his client's testimony that Lennox's death was the result of a fight initiated by Lennox.
According to the autopsy findings, Lennox suffered a punch to the face, three large blunt-force traumas to the back of his head, skull fractures, signs of asphyxiation and brain lacerations.
Wills said the way Lennox's body was found indicates he was trying to make it to the door of his shop when he became fully incapacitated.
After the beating, Johnson took Lennox's cell phone, wallet, cash and credit cards before turning off the lights to the shop and locking the door behind him, according to the prosecution.
"He left him alone there, to die in the dark," Wills said, noting that Lennox remained alive for 10-to-15 minutes after he was incapacitated.
Johnson then jumped in Lennox's "pride-and-joy," his 1999 Acura Integra, dropped his bloodied clothes and other incriminating evidence in Northeast Philadelphia, and picked up a friend, according to prosecutors.
Collingdale police saw the vehicle back in Delaware County later that evening and arrested Johnson.
Lennox's friends and relatives described him as an ambitious young man who pursued his GED and graduated from real estate investment school. At the time of his death, Lennox owned two businesses - VIP Detailing and Just Right Advertising.
"He succeeded in life. He was just starting to expand his business and look into other ventures," family friend Peter J. Carr said. "His life was starting to explode. He had a lot of vision for a young man, which was refreshing."
Lennox's father, Thomas Lennox Jr., said his son and Johnson lived on the same block when they were in grade school but they had lost touch until Johnson went to work for Lennox late last year.
He said the two were mere "acquaintances" and he seemed upset that Johnson had characterized their relationship as one of friendship while on the stand.
Lennox's mother and his two sisters, ages 8 and 15, were too emotionally distraught to attend the trial, his father said.
"He loved women, cars and writing poetry," Lennox's aunt, Dolly McNichol, said. "He was just a sweet, sweet, young man." *
