No bail for suspect charged in connection to New Year’s Day triple homicide as case moves to grand jury

Judge determines sufficient probable cause exists to move forward with Accessory After the Fact to Capital Murder

From Staff Reports

Drexler Johnson, the lone suspect accused of a crime so far in connection to the brutal killing of three area residents in a convenience store heist on New Year’s Day, will continue to be held without bail as the case against him progresses.

Johnson, a 37-year-old State Line man appeared in Greene County Justice Court Friday after for a preliminary hearing on a charge of Accessory After the Fact of Capital Murder. Johnson has been in police custody since being arrested on the charge on Jan. 8.

The charge means police are accusing Johnson of providing criminal assistance to the individual who killed store clerk Rhonda Denson, her boyfriend Lester Campbell and store customer Jason Thornton at Clark’s convenience store around 6 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025.

In court on Friday, Greene County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Shea Wilkerson walked through the grizzly scene he and other officers encountered when responding to the 911 calls on the morning of the murders. He also told the court that an informant, who was not identified, told police that Johnson himself had confided in him that two men involved in the killings had asked him to hide evidence, such as the murder weapon. Wilkerson added that the information provided by the informant led to the discovery of evidence, including a firearm, that has since been sent to a crime lab for forensics testing.

Wilkerson said Johnson admitted to having a conversation with the informant, but has denied hiding a weapon.

During testimony on Friday, it was also revealed that Johnson had voluntarily gone to the State Line Police Department on the day of the murders after reportedly hearing his name was being connected to the killings. Very little was revealed about the conversation Johnson reportedly had with police that day. Johnson was arrested several days later after the informant had come forward.

In cross examination by public defender Elliot Burch, who has been assigned to represent Johnson, Wilkerson said Johnson had been cooperative with investigators and that he had given consent for a search of his cell phone, but that investigators got a warrant to search the phone anyway.

Burch also quizzed Wilkerson about the Jane or John Does referenced in the charging affidavit against his client. Wilkerson replied that the investigation into who committed the murders is ongoing and that investigators have identified suspects. He did not, however, name any suspects or provide any additional information about them.

After hearing the testimony, Judge Kittrell ruled there was probable cause to proceed with the charges and bound the case over to the next Greene County Grand Jury for consideration. Judge Kittrell ordered Johnson to continue to be held without bail, saying he believed him to be a menace to society and a danger to the community.

Anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to call the Greene County Sheriff’s Department at (601)394-2342. Anonymous tips can also be made by calling Mississippi Coast Crimestoppers at (877)787-5898 or by logging on to www.mscoastcrimestoppers.com. Tips that help lead to arrests in the case could lead to a large cash reward.