Murder trial ends as Turner decides to plead guilty

Friday, June 21, 2002 | 10:03 a.m.

A North Las Vegas man accused of killing a young mother over a dispute with her husband pleaded guilty Thursday during a break in his trial.

Proceedings came to a halt in the trial of James Turner Jr. after a juror fled to San Diego. The juror told the court that after opening arguments he decided that Turner was guilty and that he could not be fair and impartial, Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said.

Turner was charged with shooting 21-year-old Miranda Johnson between the eyes at her Henderson apartment as she held her 3-week-old baby in her arms. Prosecuters allege Turner was angry with Johnson's husband, Edward Wiggins, because he would not sign a recording contract with him.

Turner entered the plea agreement just before Wiggins was to take the stand.

He pleaded guilty to one count of murder. In exchange, prosecuters, who had sought the death penalty, agreed to recommend 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced July 25.

Curtis Powers, 23, and Marcus Lowe, 23, who are also tied to the music industry, have pleaded guilty to being accessories to murder in the case and were expected to testify against Turner.

The state had planned to present threatening voice mail messages and recordings of telephone conversations Turner made from the Clark County Detention Center as evidence.

Turner left a message on Wiggins' phone the day of the slaying that he was coming to get him and to "tell your (expletive) not to open the door when I get there," Kane said.

Wiggins was on the phone with his wife when she was shot.