The two suspects held in a double shooting Monday morning in Georgetown are claiming they are not guilty. Thirty-two year old Laura C. Johnson and twenty-six year old Michael W. Long appeared for their initial court appearance via a video link between the Public Safety Building and the courthouse.
Each of the defendants have been charged with four counts of First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery involving the discharge of a firearm causing great bodily harm, and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.
[Georgetown shooting suspects Laura Johnson and Michael Long are shown in these photos supplied by the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department.]
The charges stem from the Monday morning shooting death of 31-year-old Kimberly George and critical wounding of 21-year-old Eric Stark. The victims were found when Georgetown Police responded to a report of shots fired at a mobile home park on that city’s east side.
Associate Circuit Judge Derek Girton set bond for Michael Long at $5-million dollars after explaining the defendant’s rights and possible penalties. The judge set Johnson’s bond at $3-million dollars. Judge Girton also ordered both defendants to have no contact with the victim or victim’s residence. Both of the suspects remain confined at the Public Safety Building awaiting their next court appearance.
Court records say Johnson listed her address as being in the 800 block of Sunset Ridge in Danville. Long gave an address in the 1200 block of North Grant Street in Danville.
Police have not released any information on a possible motive other than to note the armed robbery charge. Georgetown Police Chief Whitney Renaker said earlier this week that the victims and suspects knew each other – but he would not elaborate.
