Murder Trial to Finally Start in 2017 TX LODD Blaze
By Emilie Eaton
Source San Antonio Express-News (TNS)
Feb. 22—The man accused of intentionally setting a shopping center ablaze in 2017, which caused the death of San Antonio firefighter Scott Deem, is expected to go to trial this year.
The case against Emond Johnson, 44, has been tied up in pretrial proceedings for nearly six years. He faces charges of murder and arson resulting in death.
Johnson appeared in court Wednesday for a hearing to determine when the trial could begin. One of his attorneys, J. Charles Bunk, suggested Sept. 18 or Oct. 10. Prosecutors said they needed to talk with witnesses to know if those dates worked for them.
Investigators say Johnson was behind on lease payments on his gym in Ingram Square, a shopping mall on the Northwest Side, and had other debts, prompting him to set the building on fire on May 18, 2017.
Deem, 31, was killed trying to extinguish the blaze.
The delay in going to trial was lengthened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which slowed the courts and postponed even high-profile criminal cases. Before the pandemic, Johnson's attorneys attempted to have the trial moved, arguing that extensive publicity had made a fair trial impossible in Bexar County. A judge denied that motion in 2019.
During Wednesday's hearing, prosecutors said they had already turned over all evidence to Johnson's defense attorneys. Bunk said seven months would be an adequate amount of time to review all the material and prepare Johnson's defense.
State District Judge Kristina Escalona asked Johnson at the end of the hearing if he understood what was going on.
"Yes ma'am," he responded.
Escalona said attorneys and court personnel were doing "everything we can to get you to trial."
Another hearing is scheduled for March 22, at which time attorneys and prosecutors will finalize the trial schedule and dates to hear pretrial motions.
Escalona said she expects the trial will take five weeks.
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