Witnesses testify about investigation, autopsy reports in day 2 of capital murder trial

Johnathan Johnson facing life in prison if found guilty

SAN ANTONIO – The examination of shell casings and autopsy reports were key parts of testimony Wednesday in the capital murder trial of Johnathan Johnson.

Johnson was arrested in Feb. 2019 and accused of killing 19-year-old Andre Rangel and 18-year-old Katrina Casarez inside their apartment in the 500 block of Hot Wells Boulevard.

Firearms examiner Ed Wallace took the stand and talked about 13 casings he analyzed from the scene.

While the gun used in the shooting was never found he was able to determine that the casings were from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol.

“I was able to determine that the marks were consistent with all 13 cartridges and I was able to determine they were all fired from one gun,” Wallace said.

Later the chief medical examiner Dr. Kimberly Molina took the stand to talk about the autopsy reports conducted on Rangel and Casarez.

She revealed that it was determined that Rangel was shot four times and Casarez shot twice.

Both died from those gunshot wounds and the manner of death was homicide.

The prosecution is expected to rest its case Thursday morning after the lead detective takes the stand.

This is a non-death capital murder trial as the prosecution is not seeking the death penalty.

If found guilty, Johnson is facing life in prison.

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About the Authors:

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.