Accused killer's new trial begins after 2012 conviction overturned Vanessa Cameron accused in murder-for-hire plot to kill ex-boyfriend
SAN ANTONIO – Jury selection began Monday in Vanessa Cameron's second murder trial.
In 2012, Cameron was convicted in the murder-for-hire of her ex-boyfriend, Samuel Johnson, who was the father of her son.
That conviction was overturned and the 70-year prison sentence she received was tossed out on a legal technicality in 2014.
Cameron's lawyers successfully argued that her constitutional right to a public trial was violated because the public was not allowed into the courtroom during jury selection.
In an abundance of caution, when jury selection began for Cameron's new trial, Judge Velia Meza ordered a specific area set aside for spectators.
"Is there anybody from the public that wants to come in to watch the voir dire?" Meza asked prior to the jury selection proceedings.
Cameron was convicted of hiring a hit man to kill Johnson in 2010.
Testimony for Cameron's trial is expected to begin Tuesday morning in the 226th District Court.
Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Paul Venema headshot
Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.
Misael Gomez headshot
Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM ▶ 1:55
BCSO: Woman scammed out of $36K by caller who instructed her to deposit funds into Bitcoin ATM
Fog and drizzle safety tips from Meteorologist Sarah Spivey ▶ 1:11
Fog and drizzle safety tips from Meteorologist Sarah Spivey
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD ▶ 0:20
Trinity University, SwRI developing nasal spray treatment to combat PTSD
City housing administrator signed for dead homeowner; other employees altered records, audit finds ▶ 1:18
City housing administrator signed for dead homeowner; other employees altered records, audit finds
Spurs Fans react to NBA Cup finals loss ▶ 1:21
Spurs Fans react to NBA Cup finals loss
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says ▶ 1:46
Credit card skimmers discovered at Circle K near Stone Oak, Hollywood Park police chief says
What's happening on KSAT Sports Now this week! ▶ 0:43
What's happening on KSAT Sports Now this week!
South Texas man sets world record for oldest wingsuit jumper ▶ 1:59
South Texas man sets world record for oldest wingsuit jumper
Hill Country flood survivors face new needs as cold weather drives demand for winter essentials ▶ 1:16
Hill Country flood survivors face new needs as cold weather drives demand for winter essentials
San Antonio mom gets holiday homecoming surprise from active-duty military sons ▶ 1:12
San Antonio mom gets holiday homecoming surprise from active-duty military sons
Spurs fans honk horns downtown after win vs. Thunder in NBA Cup semifinals ▶ 0:15
Spurs fans honk horns downtown after win vs. Thunder in NBA Cup semifinals
Residents upset with speeding and lack of crosswalks at West Side intersection ▶ 1:03
Residents upset with speeding and lack of crosswalks at West Side intersection
Abraham Quintanilla, father of music icon Selena, has died, family says ▶ 1:08
Abraham Quintanilla, father of music icon Selena, has died, family says
San Antonio family navigates life separated amid $30K immigration battle ▶ 2:10
San Antonio family navigates life separated amid $30K immigration battle
Skydiver dangles at 15,000 feet after parachute catches on plane's tail ▶ 0:31
Skydiver dangles at 15,000 feet after parachute catches on plane's tail
San Antonio Catholic faithful embark on traditional journey honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe ▶ 1:01
San Antonio Catholic faithful embark on traditional journey honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe
2 dead in shooting at Stone Oak apartment complex, SAPD says ▶ 0:46
2 dead in shooting at Stone Oak apartment complex, SAPD says
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend ▶ 1:47
🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend
SAPOA will not move forward on a ‘no confidence’ vote against SAPD Chief William McManus ▶ 2:11
SAPOA will not move forward on a ‘no confidence’ vote against SAPD Chief William McManus
From San Antonio to Jamaica: North Side restaurant ships donations for Hurricane Melissa relief ▶ 1:35
From San Antonio to Jamaica: North Side restaurant ships donations for Hurricane Melissa relief
Realtor emphasizes strategic pricing in San Antonio’s cooling real estate market ▶ 1:09
Realtor emphasizes strategic pricing in San Antonio’s cooling real estate market
US credit card debt rising slower before Christmas this year compared to 2024, Fed data shows ▶ 1:36
US credit card debt rising slower before Christmas this year compared to 2024, Fed data shows
Roosevelt Avenue’s deadly reputation pushes community plea for immediate safety improvements ▶ 0:37
Roosevelt Avenue’s deadly reputation pushes community plea for immediate safety improvements
Culebra Road ranks among San Antonio’s most dangerous traffic corridors, data shows ▶ 0:59
Culebra Road ranks among San Antonio’s most dangerous traffic corridors, data shows
‘I was devastated’: Woman who lost everything in apartment fire retains attorney ▶ 1:04
‘I was devastated’: Woman who lost everything in apartment fire retains attorney
Previous photo Next photo