CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Family members are outraged that a mother accused of killing all four of her children decades ago will soon be released on parole.
Martha Ann Johnson was only convicted of killing one of her children, 11-year-old Jenny Ann Wright, in Clayton County in 1982. But she is suspected of killing her three other children in the years prior.
Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1990 for Wright’s death, but was never tried in the deaths of the three other kids.
Channel 2′s Tom Jones spoke to Wright’s half-brother and sister, who are outraged Johnson could soon walk free and feel like the justice system lied to them.
Shane Wright and Jennifer Coker told Jones the Clayton County District Attorney told them in 1990 that Johnson would never be released. But 30 years later, the state parole board is planning to release her.
"I want her to sit in prison and die," Wright said. "That's what I want. I don't ever want her to step foot back on Earth."
"I mean, she murdered not just our sister, but four of her children," Coker said.
Police suspect Johnson murdered all four of her children over several years by using her 250-pound body to suffocate them. Police believe she did it to get the attention of the men in her life.
Wright’s dad was married to Johnson. He said his father, who recently died, did not want to see her get out of prison after killing his child. Wright had this message for the parole board.
"I would get down on my hands and knees and I would tell them just to keep that psycho lady behind bars," Shane Wright said.
"I mean, I understand everyone has the right to parole, but I can't believe the are even considering letting her out," Coker said.
Coker and Wright are hoping that now that Johnson could potentially be released, she will be charged in the deaths of her three other children.
"She admitted to laying on top of (one of her sons) and suffocating him, and nothing has been done about that," Coker said.
The Clayton County District Attorney's Office received notice that Johnson will be paroled, but says it strongly opposes her release.
The D.A. said the three other children were killed in Fulton County.
The parole board said Johnson’s release is tentative at this point and that the board will send out a 72-hour notification announcing her release date, if that’s what they decide to do.
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