Repeat Offender Convicted of First Degree Murder

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained multiple convictions against a man who shot the victim three times and then claimed the revolver accidentally fired itself.  Johnny Robert McBee, 61, was convicted of First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.  When the jury returned its verdict, Judge Steve Sword sentenced McBee to a life sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Hill and Danielle Jones explained to the jury that on January 30, 2022, Knoxville Police Department Detective Thomas Turner responded to a shooting at 930 Atlantic Avenue.  The investigation revealed that McBee and the victim had been in an argument earlier in the day regarding the victim dating McBee’s niece.  McBee stated that he would get a gun and kill the victim.  When both men arrived at the Atlantic Avenue address, McBee exited his vehicle with a revolver.  When the victim exited his vehicle, McBee fired three shots, killing the victim.  At trial, the defendant argued that the revolver accidentally discharged three times, but the jury ultimately found McBee guilty as charged.

“This is another senseless loss of life where a verbal argument escalated because a career criminal pulled a gun,” said DA Allen.

Under Tennessee law, a life sentence means that McBee must serve fifty-one years in prison before he is eligible to meet with the parole board.  McBee has six prior felonies from the 1980s for Armed Robbery, Assault with Intent to Murder, and Burglary offenses.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Kara Sowards aided in the prosecution of this case.

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.