Judge Melvyn W. Wiesman upheld the death sentence ...

Judge Melvyn W. Wiesman upheld the death sentence against Kevin Johnson for the July 5, 2005 murder of Police Sgt. William McEntee, 43. Johnson, 22, was found guilty of 1st-degree murder in November. On Nov. 11, 2007 the jury recommended the death penalty. His death came about two hours after Johnson's half-brother, Joseph "Bam Bam" Long, 12, collapsed fatally in their home. An autopsy indicated the boy died of a heart defect. At the trial, prosecutor Robert McCulloch argued that Johnson had accused police of not trying hard enough to save his half-brother and murdered McEntee in revenge. 2 defense witnesses backed the Johnson family's claim that police didn't try to help Joseph. The trial was the 2nd for Johnson. A deadlocked jury in April prompted the judge to declare a mistrial.