Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

The family of Robert Dwayne Johnson said that when you see him smile, he is like a "big old baby". They said that he is a gentle person, from the time he was young, into his adult life. But while growing up, Robert developed mental issues that became a hindrance to him, as the family sought medical assistance for him. It was because of those issues that Robert would get into trouble and he wouldn't hurt anyone. But an incident that happened on Sept. 3, 2011 would change Robert's life forever. According to court documents, Johnson entered the County Market grocery store in Monroe and was "observed" placing several deodorant products in his coat pocket by Assist. Manager, Kenneth Gordon. Johnson was confronted by Gordon before he left the store and allegedly told him that was seen by the store's camera shoplifting. There was no physical confrontation between the two individuals, but Gordon said that "saw" a box cutter in Johnson's hand. According to documents, Gordon let Johnson leave, yelling to some employees to call the police as Johnson allegedly said threatening remarks to Gordon. An officer with MPD was told of the incident and that Johnson was armed with a (box cutter?) weapon. Johnson was apprehended without incident and taken to jail. At Johnson's trial, two witnesses, Gordon and a store cashier gave their testimony. Gordon said that Johnson was facing him with the "weapon" down by his side with the palm facing him. Gordon said that he "was scared to death for his life", was the reason he didn't make a move on Johnson. The cashier said that she "observed" Johnson threatened Gordon, but according to family members, the cahier's back was turned, which the store's cameras allegedly showed. Johnson was convicted after a quick trial and was sentenced to 60 years in prison at hard labor. Johnson's mother Willa Joyce Johnson and his aunt Mary Johnson, as well as family members were devastated by the length of time the judge gave him. An appeal was made which was denied, and Johnson began to serve his sentence with the charge of armed robbery. According to Louisiana R.S.14:64, armed robbery is the "taking of anything of value belonging to another from the person of another, or that is in the immediate control of another, by force or intimidation, while armed with a dangerous weapon". The family strongly disputed the state's claim, but Johnson's attorney failed to convinced the jury otherwise.

Willa and Mary Johnson has not given up their quest to have another hearing, believing and relying on their faith that the time has come to help Robert get his life back. Someone who worked County Market on the night of the incident has come forward and has given a affidavit stating that Johnson never threatened Gordon, nor was a weapon seen. But according to this individual, no one from the police dept. made contact or Johnson's attorney to her. According to family members, Gordon works at a "dollar store" close to County Market. One family member said that Gordon was observed chasing someone suspected of taking something from the store. They wonders, why wasn't he afraid. The family is in the process of retaining a new attorney from New Orleans, hoping that the new firm will turn things around for them and for Robert. They appeal to anyone else with knowledge of their situation, to please contact them. It is that important to them.