02:06 PM MST on Thursday, June 30, 2005

John Masters / KTVB.COM

HAILEY – A Bellevue teenager will spend the rest of her life in prison for killing her parents.

Sarah Johnson sobs during her sentencing hearing. She could spend the rest of her life prison for the murders of her parents, Alan and Diane Johnson.

Fifth District Judge Barry Wood said Sarah Johnson "had it all" before using a hunting rifle to shoot Diane and Alan Johnson at their Bellevue home in September of 2003. Wood said Johnson had a nice house, family, good parental support and freedom, but she made the wrong choice and gave it all up.

Judge Wood ordered Johnson to serve two fixed life sentences, plus a 15 year sentence for use of a firearm. Those sentences will be served concurrently. Johnson sat sobbing while the judge issued his decision.

During closing arguments earlier in the morning, prosecutors urged the judge to give Johnson the maximum sentence for murdering her parents, while defense attorneys argued for leniency, claiming the Bellevue teenager is a good candidate for rehabilitation.

Johnson was convicted by an Ada County jury in March 2005 of killing her parents Alan and Diane Johnson in their Bellevue home on Sept. 2, 2003. She was 16-years-old at the time of the murders.

Defense attorney Bob Pangburn argued that Johnson deserved to be punished as a child for her crime, not as an adult. He urged the judge to be lenient and give Sarah a life sentence, with 15 years fixed. That means she could be eligible for parole after serving just 15 years behind bars.

Blaine County Prosecutor Jim Thomas called Johnson a “self-centered girl” who was obsessed with sex and boys. He called her a desperate young woman who deserved the maximum sentence for her crimes. He urged the judge to give Johnson two life sentences, one for each murder, without the possibility of parole. Additionally, the prosecution is seeking another 15 years for use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

When the attorneys finish making their closing arguments, Judge Wood asked Johnson is she had anything to say to the court.

Johnson read this brief statement:

“I loved my parents and I loved my family. I am deeply grieving the loss of my parents as well as the loss of my family, my home, my friends and my community. I am very thankful for the love and support that my adopted family has given to me. With the guidance of the lord and the continued support of those that believe in me, I hope to rebuild my life and prove that I can be a productive member of society.”

A Supreme Court ruling earlier this year found that defendants under 18 could not be candidates for the death penalty. Judge Wood listed ten criteria under Idaho law that determine if a defendant is a candidate for the death. He said four of those ten items applied to Johnson, and said seh should would have been a candidate for the death penalty under other circumstances.

NewsChannel 7 has a crew in Hailey today and will have complete coverage on the Evening News, including reaction from family members.