Knox City father of toddler fatally shot by sibling set for trial

KNOX COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — The father of a 15-month-old girl fatally shot by her 5-year-old sibling who found a loaded gun in the home will soon face a judge and jury for charges related to the child's death.

Brian Keith Johnson, 40, of Knox City, stands accused of criminally negligent homicide and endangering a child stemming from the death of his daughter, Alicia Mia Marie Johnson, on March 28, 2024.

According to authorities, the toddler's brother, who was 5 years old at the time, found a loaded handgun in the home and shot the girl in the arm and chest at point-blank range during the early morning hours of March 28.

The girl was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced deceased later that morning.

When and where Johnson's trial is set

Johnson's trial is set to begin on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in the 50th Judicial District Courtroom of the Knox County Courthouse located in Benjamin, with Judge Jennifer Habert presiding.

Hunter Brooks, 50th Judicial District Attorney, is set to prosecute the case on behalf of the State of Texas. Johnson will be represented by defense attorney Lee Ann Marsh. Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Both charges pending against Johnson are state jail felony offenses, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in prison. Prosecutors filed a notice that they intend to seek an enhanced punishment range due to Johnson's criminal history.

If Johnson is convicted, and the enhancement is found to be accurate, he could face up to 10 years in prison on each count.

Civil case documents reveal tragic circumstances

The death of 1-year-old Alicia Mae Marie Johnson in the early morning hours of March 28, 2024, left many community members in Knox City heartbroken.

However, court documents from the child custody case, which led to Johnson's three surviving children being in the care of CPS, may contain additional tragic details of the circumstances surrounding the child's death.

Transcripts from a hearing in Johnson's civil case suggest the three surviving children were all in the Knox City home the night of March 28.

According to the transcripts, a responding officer testified that the home smelled of sewage, the children appeared hungry and dirty, there was no running water, the refrigerator did not work, and there was an infestation of roaches.

The transcripts also contain testimony suggesting a total of eleven firearms were found in the home, several of which were loaded. A law enforcement official testified that when he responded to the home around an hour after the incident, three guns were in the immediate vicinity of the children.

The three surviving children, including the 5-year-old who found the loaded gun, have been under the supervision of CPS since March 28, 2024. According to court documents, all three of the children could be called witnesses in this trial.

Other potential witnesses in Johnson's trial

The prosecution is set to call several other witnesses, including multiple law enforcement officials with the Knox City Police Department, the Knox County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Rangers. Officials with CPS are also listed as potential witnesses.

Several employees of the Knox County Hospital, where the child was eventually pronounced deceased, have been listed as potential witnesses as well.

Three Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory analysts have been listed as potential witnesses and designated as experts.

Angelia Mae Smith, 30, of Knox County, also appeared on the witness list. Smith is Johnson's spouse and co-defendant, facing the exact charges as her husband. She is also the mother of the victim and the three surviving children in this case.

Courthouse officials said they anticipate opening statements will begin on Monday afternoon.