Parolee Arrested for Neighbor’s Murder

 Posted on April 19, 2013 in Violent Crime

Prosecutors have accused Paul Johnson, 34, of breaking into his Eligin’s neighbor home with a screwdriver in order to steal a DVD player, and then stabbing the woman who lived in the home. The stabbing eventually led to her death. He has been charged with first-degree murder, home invasion and residential burglary in the March 2 death of Lisa Koziol-Ellis, 33. The victim was found by her husband when he returned home from work.

Police told the Chicago-Tribunethat someone contacted them with information that led them to arrest Johnson. According to the report, Johnson told the witness that he broke into the Ellis’ apartment with the intention of robbing them, but was confronted by Koziol-Ellis. Johnson stabbed her multiple times with a screwdriver and a knife. He left the apartment, but then returned later to try to “clean up the scene”.

Prosecutors would not comment on whether or not a $15,000 reward offered by the victim’s family led to the witness coming forward.

Court records show the defendant has had multiple arrests in both Cook and Kane counties, mostly for armed robberies. In 2000, he was sentenced to eleven years in prison for armed robbery, including a charge of robbing an Elgin motel and tying up an employee. He is currently out on parole for an armed robbery conviction from 2010. Johnson received a four year prison sentence, for which he served 1 1/2 years. He is currently being held on $5 million bail and faces up to one hundred years if he is convicted of this crime.

If you are arrested for a serious crime, you need to hire an experienced Illinois violent crimes lawyer to fight these charges and protect your rights.