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Thread: Michael Shane Winters Sentenced to LWOP in 2009 AR Slayings of 2

  1. #1
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    Michael Shane Winters Sentenced to LWOP in 2009 AR Slayings of 2

    Prosecutor Seeks Death Penalty for Bentonville Women's Murders

    Nicholas Johansen and Michael Winters will face the death penalty for killing Johansen's mother and grandmother last year.

    Each man was charged with two counts of Capital Murder and two counts of Aggravated Robbery after the remains of Christina Bishop, 40, and Louise Bishop, 81, were found on Johansen's father's property near on Sugar Creek Road between Avoca and Garfield in February.

    Benton County prosecuting attorney Van Stone said Monday his office is seeking the death penalty for both men, because of the severity of the crimes. Investigators believe Johansen and Winters robbed and strangled the women at Louise's Bentonville home before dumping the bodies.

    If convicted, the men could be sentenced up to 40 years or life for each count of aggravated robbery and a sentence of life in prison or death for the murders.

    According to court documents, Johansen's half-sister and Winters' girlfriend tipped police off about the bodies.

    The women were last seen at a Sam's Club in Bentonville in June 2009 and were the subjects of an extensive search for several months.

    Both men are currently being held in the Benton County Jail.

    http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-johansen-winters-death-penalty-sought,0,738717.story?track=rss

  2. #2
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    Ark. prosecutor makes murder trial decision

    BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - The Benton County prosecutor has decided which defendant will be tried first for murder in the deaths of 2 Bentonville women.

    The Benton County Daily Record reports that prosecutor Van Stone announced Wednesday that 30-year-old Michael Shane Winters will be the first tried on two counts of capital murder. Also charged with two counts of capital murder is 20-year-old Nicholas Johansen of Garfield.

    A trial date has not been set.

    The two are charged in the deaths of 40-year-old Christina Bishop and her mother - 81-year-old Louise Bishop. Johansen was Christina Bishop's son and Louise Bishop's grandson. Authorities have said robbery was the motive for the killings.

    Defense attorneys are planning to have mental evaluations for both defendants. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty for both.

    http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=14224721

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    First of 2 trials to start in Ark. double slaying

    Posted: Oct 31, 2011 12:25 PM

    Updated: Oct 31, 2011 12:25 PM

    BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Jury selection is to begin in Benton County for a man charged with capital murder for the slayings of a woman and her mother.

    Prospective jurors are to be questioned Tuesday in the trial of Michael Shane Winters. He's accused of killing 40-year-old Christina Bishop and 81-year-old Louise Bishop, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

    Also charged is 20-year-old Nicholas Johansen of Garfield, who was a son of Christina Bishop and grandson of Louise Bishop.

    The women were missing for months until Winters led investigators to the bodies.

    The Benton County Daily Record reports (http://bit.ly/uiEeLB ) that jury selection is to take several days and the trial itself two to three weeks.

    Circuit Judge Robin Green is presiding.

    http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=15914994

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    A Benton County jury recommended Michael Shane Winters serve two consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole for his role in a double murder in 2009.

    The jury returned its verdict early Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty. Winters also received two life sentences for aggravated robbery.

    Winters, 30, was found guilty last week of two counts of capital murder and two counts of aggravated robbery in the killings of Louise Bishop and Christina Bishop, 40.

    Nicholas Johansen, 20, also was arrested in connection with the women’s death. Johansen is Christina Bishop’s son and the grandson of Louise Bishop. Johansen’s trial on the same charges is set to begin Jan. 18.

    The Bishops were reported missing June 21, 2009. They were last seen at Sam’s Club in Bentonville. Their bodies were found Feb. 16, 2010, in a grave at 15226 Sugar Creek Road, between Garfield and Avoca, according court documents.

    Police believe the women were killed June 18, 2009, at their Bentonville home on Southeast J Street.

    Winters later led police to the two bodies.

    http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2011/n...alty/?breaking

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