State v. Johnson

MARY R. RUSSELL, Judge.

This is the fourth time Ernest Lee Johnson comes before this Court. His original jury conviction of three counts of first-degree murder was affirmed, but his three death sentences were set aside and a new penalty-phase proceeding was ordered. See State v. Johnson, 968 S.W.2d 686 (Mo. banc 1998) (“Johnson I ’’j.1 In his second penalty-phase proceeding, three death sentences were again recommended by the jury and imposed by the circuit court; they were affirmed by this Court. See State v. Johnson, 22 S.W.3d 183 (Mo. banc 2000), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 935, 121 S.Ct. 322,…