HAYNEVILLE The teenager charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams was denied youth status Monday afternoon, and entered two not guilty pleas.
William Chase Johnson, 19, appeared before retired Circuit Judge Bert Rice, dressed in a black and white striped jail uniform and restrained with handcuffs. Rice closed the youthful offender hearing to the public at the request of the defense. Rice was appointed to preside over the case when local judges recused themselves.
After youth status was denied, Johnson pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. The defense did not offer specifics as to what the mental disease or defect was.