Displaying items by tag: William Knight

William Knight, 64, of Streetsboro was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted earlier this month in the shooting death of 24-year-old Keith Johnson of Akron. 

The following is a press release from the Summit County Prosecutor's Office: 

Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Tammy O’Brien sentenced William Knight, 64, of Lady Catherine Street in Streetsboro, to life in prison for killing 24-year-old Keith Johnson.

Knight will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years of his sentence.

On April 10, 2018, a Summit County jury found Knight guilty of the following charges:

• Two Counts of Murder, each with a Gun Specification – both Special Felonies
• Two Counts of Felonious Assault, each with a Gun Specification – felonies  of the 2^nd degree

“Mr. Knight’s decision to fire his gun forever changed the lives of two families. Today, as Keith Johnson’s mother Laquita said, justice was served. I truly hope the Johnson family finds peace as they move forward,” said Prosecutor Walsh.

In the evening of March 20, 2017, William Knight shot and killed Keith Johnson. The shooting followed a dispute over a stolen dirt bike. Earlier that day, Knight’s son-in-law noticed his dirt bike, which had been stolen in February of 2016, was for sale on a social media site. Knight, his daughter and son-in-law went to Danmead Avenue in Akron to confront Keith Johnson and recover the dirt bike. When Johnson attempted to leave the area on the bike, the son-in law grabbed the dirt bike in an attempt to stop Johnson. Johnson was able to pull away from the son-in-law, but was subsequently shot in the head by Knight. The jury rejected arguments by William Knight’s attorney that Knight was acting in self-defense and defense of his family members.

William Knight, 64, of Streetsboro was ruled mentally competent to stand trial in the case of the shooting death of Akron man over the online sale of a dirt bike. 

According to court documents, Knight responded to an online ad for a dirt bike for sale that he says was stolen from his son-in-law a few months before. In March, Knight agreed to meet Johnson at a home on Danmead Avenue in Akron to buy the dirt bike, reportedly for $4,000. When the two met, Knight confronted Johnson and the two argued. A physical altercation ensued, and Knight pulled a gun, which he has a permit for, and opened fire, allegedly as Johnson tried to drive off on the dirt bike. 

Knight called 911, saying that he had no choice but to shoot Johnson, claiming self defense. He was arrested shortly after the shooting, and charged with murder and felonious assault. He's currently being held on $50,000 bond.

Initially, Knight's attorney entered a Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity plea, but withdrew that plea after Wednesday's evaluation. Knight is due back in court for another status hearing in November and will meet with another psychologist in October. 

Johnson's family claims the shooting was racially motivated. Knight's family protested after he was charged in the shooting.