Canton man sentenced for murdering wife

A Canton man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for shooting his wife and leaving the body in their bed unreported for two days.

The man, Myles Flint Johnson, 53, was found guilty of second-degree murder after a three-day jury trial in Madison County Circuit Court, District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced. 

According to Bramlett, Johnson was sentenced by Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur to serve the maximum sentence of 40 years, day for day, in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, without the possibility of parole. 

“This couple showed all of the classic signs of the cycle of violence where the victim returned to the abuser many times, and the abuse escalated,” Bramlett said. “We hope the guilty verdict in this case provides both closure to the victim’s family but also acts as a warning to individuals in a violent domestic situation. Please find a way to get out before it is too late. Your abuser will not change, and the abuse will not stop.”

On Jan. 30, Canton Police officers were dispatched to East Fulton Street after Myles Johnson called 911 stating his wife had been shot, Bramlett said. When they arrived on the scene, they discovered Kristi Johnson, 53, dead in the couple’s bed. 

The defendant originally told police she had shot herself, but through the investigation, it was discovered that she had been shot in the back, Bramlett said. 

Officers were able to determine that the Defendant had shot and killed Mrs. Johnson on Sunday evening and did not call 911 until Tuesday morning, Bramlett said. 

“Officers learned that there had been a long history of domestic violence going back over a decade,” Bramlett said.

During the trial, the defendant testified in his defense and claimed he accidentally shot her after they had a fight. The jury deliberated for about three hours before coming back with a guilty verdict of second-degree murder. 

“Finally,” Brmalett said. “I want to again, as always, thank the voters in Madison and Rankin counties that consistently show up for jury duty when summoned. Without jurors, this criminal justice system in this District could not function in the effective and efficient manner in which it does.” 

Johnson had been in the Madison County Detention Center with his bond denied. It was denied during his initial appearance before a judge on Feb. 7.