Minutes before trial, man pleads guilty to killing Riverdale woman
Just before his trial was set to begin, a 29-year-old man pleaded guilty to malice murder in the death of a Riverdale mother of two, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Nehemiah Johnson Jr. was charged with killing 30-year-old Rochelle Alisha Thomas, whose body was found Jan. 25, 2012, at the Harmony Crossroads apartment complex in Jonesboro. She had been strangled to death, police said.
Johnson, who also pleaded guilty to kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to life in prison to run consecutive to 20 years on the kidnapping charge, Channel 2 said.
Police said Thomas offered escort services online.
Thomas' mother, Beverly Thomas, previously told the AJC that the family struggled through her daughter's experience working in the sex trade, but she was turning her life around.
She addressed those present in Clayton County Superior Court on Tuesday before the sentencing.
“I don’t understand. When he killed her, he killed me, too,” said Thomas, who is now raising two grandsons.
Johnson reportedly believed police had enough evidence to send him to jail for kidnapping, so he wanted to feel the thrill of killing someone, Channel 2 said.
About the Author
Angel K. Brooks is a senior manager for the programming team, focusing on quality control. She has been with the AJC since 2007 and started as a sports copy editor. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University.
