Assault charges for killer

Julie Johnson in court in 2004. Photo / Northern Advocate

A Northland woman released on parole after killing a teenager is back behind bars for allegedly trying to strangle a woman and push her in front of an oncoming car.

Julie Anne Johnson, 25 and unemployed, was charged with assault and appeared in Whangarei District Court last week.

She entered no plea to the charge but was recalled to prison to serve the balance of her seven-year jail term for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Renee Brown.

Johnson drove a Nissan Bluebird into a crowd of people at a party in Taylor Rd, Kamo, in February, 2003, killing Brown.

In May 2004, a jury in the High Court at Whangarei acquitted her of murder but found her guilty of manslaughter.

Johnson was cleared of injuring 15 other people.

She was released from prison on March 4 this year, before the statutory release date of February 23 2010, after appearing before the parole board for the seventh time.

She was deemed to be at a low risk of offending.

On Monday, Johnson was arrested by police.

Senior Sergeant Richard Leach said Johnson had been walking at about 12.30pm with a 21-year-old female when an argument over a cellphone erupted.

Police allege Johnson pushed the woman into a doorway, grabbed her around the throat and then pushed her in front of an oncoming car.

In court last week, Johnson's lawyer Dave Sayes said no application for bail would be made, as Johnson had been recalled to jail.

He said the incident was domestic related.

Judge John MacDonald said Johnson would reappear in court on August 11.

In its decision earlier this year, the parole board had said it was satisfied Johnson did not pose any undue risk to the community and should be released.

"Any residual risk that she may have could well be addressed under the supervision of the probation officer and support from her family," the report said.

Johnson's time in prison was troubled. Johnson had been assaulted with a knife by some inmates. On the last occasion one of the inmates pointed a knife at her, she punched them.

"It is not for us to indulge in speculation but we have counselled Ms Johnson that she will have to make a concerted effort to keep out of trouble while she is in the community," the parole board members said.

The board was also concerned about the community reaction if Johnson was released early from jail "given the high profile nature of her offending".

Since her release, Johnson's progress had been reviewed in June by the parole board.

A report stated Johnson had been willing to abide by the parole conditions, although it had taken time to adjust to living outside the jail.

Mother's parole pain

Sue Brown only found out her daughter's killer was out of jail three weeks ago, due to a family member telling her.

Brown said she would never get over the shock of losing her daughter Renee Brown.

To find out Julie Johnson had been released short of the seven-year sentence angered her.

"We will never get over it. Renee isn't here to see all her nephews and nieces grow up. She would have loved them."

The parole board had previously contacted her husband, Warren, if there was a hearing.

However, since his death last year Brown had no contact from the board but news Johnson was back behind bars came as a relief.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE