Judge Kelli Johnson, a high-profile Texas judge overseeing a number of significant criminal trials, has been missing from the courtroom for nearly a month amid concerns of manic behavior and a recent police interaction. She was last seen at the 178th District Courthouse in Houston on May 1, and there has been no explanation provided for her absence. A court spokesperson mentioned that Johnson is out for personal matters, but did not provide any further details.
An unnamed person at the courthouse hinted at manic behavior exhibited by Johnson before she disappeared from the bench, characterizing her as a danger to herself and the community. The judge was reportedly in contact with law enforcement following an incident near her home on May 4, described in a police report as a disturbance/CIT, which stands for crisis intervention. The exact details surrounding the incident remain unknown at this time.
Judge Johnson, the first openly gay female judge to be elected in Harris County, is married with two sons. Her recent absence from the courtroom comes after presiding over a high-profile trial involving the fatal beating of an eight-year-old boy in 2020. Johnson conducted the trial efficiently, finding the defendant guilty of capital murder within 20 minutes and remarking on the horrific nature of the case.
In addition to the aforementioned trial, Judge Johnson has also overseen the murder trial of a man convicted of killing his parents when he was a teenager. After two mistrials, the defendant was finally convicted in August of the following year. With Johnson missing from the bench, some of her cases and hearings have been handled by visiting judges, including retired judge Jim Wallace who presided over a trial last week.
The administrative judge for the area, Judge Susan Brown, has not provided a timeline for Johnson’s return to the bench. Johnson was elected to the court in 2016 after serving as an assistant district attorney for 17 years. Her sudden absence has raised concerns and speculation among courthouse staff and the legal community, given the significant cases she had been presiding over prior to her disappearance.
As the mystery surrounding Judge Kelli Johnson’s absence continues, the legal community remains puzzled and concerned about the implications for ongoing cases under her jurisdiction. The circumstances of her disappearance and the reported manic behavior preceding it raise questions about her well-being and ability to continue serving as a judge. Despite the uncertainty, efforts are being made to ensure that her cases are being handled appropriately in her absence.
