Attorney General's News Release

May 1, 2009

Attorney General Koster announces guilty plea for murder committed by an Ozark County man

Jefferson City, Mo. -- Attorney General Chris Koster announced a Brixey, Missouri, man has pleaded guilty to murder, domestic assault, assault in the first degree and armed criminal action and will spend the rest of his life in prison. Koster said Roger A. Hershey was sentenced to two life sentences for killing James 'Jamie' Johnson, shooting Delores 'Kathy' Crain, and trying to kill Johnson's wife, Jenifer Johnson. The Attorney General's office assisted in the prosecution of Hershey.

Koster said the four adults were at the Ozark County residence Hershey shared with Kathy Crain March 26, 2008, when an argument broke out. Hershey retrieved a handgun and shot Kathy Crain in the chest. He then shot Jamie Johnson twice, killing him. Hershey then pointed the gun at Johnson's wife, who heard the gun "click," but it didn't fire. Hershey later got a rifle and pointed it at himself, but the officers talked him out of shooting.

"This was a senseless crime that started with an argument and ended in murder," Koster said. "Mr. Hershey's guilty plea was justified and Mr. Hershey will be off the streets for the rest of his life. I appreciate the work of attorneys in my office to ensure this dangerous criminal is no longer a threat to the community."