State Paroles Johnston County Man Convicted Of 1994 Shooting Death
SMITHFIELD — A Johnston County man convicted of first-degree murder in a 1994 shooting death is scheduled to be released on parole.
The North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission has approved parole for Timothy Leonard Johnson, 56, under the Mutual Agreement Parole Program, known as MAPP. His parole release date is set for Feb. 2, 2026.
Johnson was convicted in 1995 in Johnston County Superior Court for the shooting death of Willie Gene Spence at the Bell Hope Trailer Park near Smithfield. He received a life sentence under sentencing laws in effect at the time.
Court records show the shooting occurred Aug. 1, 1994, following a confrontation between Johnson and Spence outside Spence’s vehicle. Prosecutors said Johnson fired once into the windshield as Spence attempted to drive away, then fired a second shot through the open driver’s side window. The vehicle rolled backward and struck a nearby mobile home, causing minor damage.
Johnston County deputy James McIver was the first officer to arrive and found Spence dead inside the vehicle. Investigators later recovered a replica firearm from Spence’s waistband that had not been fired.
During the 1995 trial, Johnson testified in his own defense, claiming Spence pointed a gun at him and that another man handed Johnson a firearm during the confrontation. A medical examiner testified Spence was shot in the head and chest, with the chest wound determined to be fatal.
Johnson appealed his conviction, arguing the trial court improperly allowed medical testimony and failed to provide adequate self-defense instructions to the jury. The North Carolina Supreme Court rejected those claims and upheld the conviction.
North Carolina’s Structured Sentencing law eliminated parole for crimes committed on or after Oct. 1, 1994. Offenders sentenced under earlier laws remain eligible for parole consideration.
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32 Comments
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Take a life, lose your life.
Why would u say that about my papa I don’t want him to loose his life if u didn’t read the person tried to take his life first so don’t wish death on my papa because all these rude comments are making me cry
See, life is not life. Sorry a** court system that we have.
Life sentences should be for LIFE! I’m sure the jury that convicted him meant for him to be removed from society for his ENTIRE life.
The victim is somebody’s loved one. He has only served 30 years! Life for a life is the only way it should be. Praying for the family of the victim.
Stay tuned..He will be in trouble again. I feel for the victims family. Life should be Life. He must a had a good attorney.
What a great decision, let’s take a convicted killer who’s supposed to serve life and let him out early. He should rot in that 6×8
What a slap in the face of the victims loved ones
Why is he getting out? He clearly has not changed at all and never accepted responsibility. Pathetic dem stacked parole board
He did change thank you very much he has a bright personality and he will stay that way and the rude comments need to stop cuz hating is not right SHAME ON YALL
This is NOT justice!!
That is a pop on the head of the victims family karma is a b**** he will offend again friends… he’s laughing through the entire crooked lax justice system I pray for the victims families ugh🤬
That Adult Parolee will commit additional crimes within the next 3 years.
Don’t worry. He’ll be back in. Natural habitat and all.
My
First, it’s habitual. Second, if someone was trying to kill you, would you just let them or fight back?
Sometimes fighting for your life causes taking a life. Knowledge is power.
Shooting someone through their back window once and then firing again through the drivers window… the other man was fleeing and he popped them in the back… nobody was fighting for his life but he cowardly took another. Knowledge is power but unfortunately you’re too lazy to read about the case 💀
I’m surprised.
Wonder if any of y’all voted for a felon?
Party of law and order…and all of that….
January 6th – and all of that….
Kicking and beating police – and all of that….
Threatening to hang our Vice President- and all of that….
Nah – y’all wouldn’t do any of that…
You need to f right off with that entire statement. Anybody with a functioning brain knows that President Trump’s trial was a sham.
This guy shot and killed someone and he was sentenced in a fair trial to life in prison. He should stay in prison for his ENTIRE life. I hope this murderer moves in next door to you. I’m sure you would sleep just fine knowing a murderer is your new neighbor.
His name is also in the files
38,000 times and counting. You are pathetic.
Turn off CNN and try to be happy. You are not qualified to have an opinion.
You people are pathetic commenting like this about something u know nothing about about. Yall should be shame
Right thank you for defending my papa bless ur entire family
We clearly know that he is a murderer so I wouldn’t say something we know nothing about 😂 also know he was sentenced to life so that’s what he should serve
The only pathetic people are the murderer, the judge who let him out early, and you defending him! Don’t worry he will reoffend and go right back to his home 🙂
Shut up yall know nothing about my papa he has changed and u know d*mn right im defending him because I love him and I hate seeing yall talk about him like this if yall have something to say say it to his face, or are u to scared to even see him so keep this in mind you sorry a*s bi**hes
para un loco hay uno más loco tenlo en cuenta ???
Your “papa” or better known as the convicted killer was sentenced to life and that’s what he should serve. Matter of time and he will be back in his favorite 6 by 8 🤡
Some **** is suffering from full blown TDS. Get help. However, there is good news for you. You’ve just under 3 years left of him being your President.
I bet those of y’all who are in favor of the death penalty are also “God fearing”. Get a groin
You and your papa are both clowns 🤡 I’m sure you’ll follow in his footsteps and go to y’all’s family reunion at the jail 💀