Co-Defendants Convicted for Minnesota Avenue Shooting

A Knox County jury has convicted two defendants involved in the attempted first degree murder of a Knoxville man last August. Bendale Romero and Joshua Johnson were found guilty today for their involvement in the attempted murder, which occurred on August 10, 2013, on Minnesota Avenue. The jury convicted Romero of attempted first degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Romero faces 15 to 25 years in the penitentiary for the attempted murder and an additional 6-year sentence for the firearm count, which must run consecutively to the other sentence. Johnson was found guilty of facilitating the attempted murder and employing a firearm. Johnson is facing 8 to 20 years for his role in facilitating the attempted murder. Since he has a prior felony conviction, Johnson will then serve a mandatory 10-year consecutive sentence for employing a firearm. The case was investigated by officers with Knoxville Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney General TaKisha Fitzgerald. The case is the second one tried by General Fitzgerald this week in the courtroom of Judge Steve Sword, with both cases resulting in criminal convictions. Romero and Johnson will be sentenced by Judge Sword at a future court date.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.