Friday, a Memphis jury found Monique Johnson guilty of reckless homicide in the murder of Memphis police officer Tony Hayes in September 2006. The couple were fighting after a recent break up. During her trial, Johnson claimed she was the victim of sexual and physical abuse and was defending herself. Prosecutors said the murder was planned and Johnson had vandalized Hayes’ home and had done so to ex-boyfriends. The defense was likened to that of Mary Winkler who many believe got off too easy and whose verdict may have a ripple effect on future verdicts.
What do you think? Click the title above to leave your comment.
They did it again by giving a cold-blooded murderess a “slap on the wrist”. It is so easy to see why so many men & not women are serving long prison terms or sitting on death row. The jury was obviously the same type of morons that elect & re-elect trash like Herenton, the Fords, & the Hooks. No wonder we have so much crime in Memphis & the schools because folks think they can get away with it & they do.
Sorry folks, no prize here. It is similar to the Winkler case in that she killed a man – it stops there. Monique was not married to this man – she could have just taken her pj’s and left.
OK, she got her son to help her stuff the man’s body in the trunk of his vehicle, took the car to an apartment complex and left it there for several days. Then she wants to cry, woe is me, he beat me up. Sorry folks, not buying the abuse defense on this one. I’m a woman who has been through an abusive relationship and I think she lied and got off way too easy.
Yup….just like the Winkler woman….she got off easy.
I just do not understand how anyone could get away with murder. Murder is murder. She is getting less time in jail than Mrs. Bowers and all she did was take money. This is a prime example of why kids are killing kids in schools and on the streets of this city. Criminals in this city now know that you can kill a person and claim abuse or self-defense. This is one more family that the prosecutors of the District Attorneys Office have disappointed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hayes
Family.
Maybe instead of the District Attorney prosecuting these cases. Maybe the US Attorney should take over. And then people would stop killing people and getting away with a slap on the wrist. None of the defendants that the US Attorney were prosecuting go away with a slap on the wrist. They all got more time in jail than Mary and Monique.
I think you and the rest of the media have ignored your part of this problem. In my opinion,many women learn to be liars,connivers and worse by listening to soap operas. I think that this area would significantly improve if all soap operas were cancelled.
Monique knew what she was doing and to have her son involved was even worse. It’s really sad to know that people do as they do and all they get is a slap on the hand. The law needs to be a lot tougher. It was all just a copy of the Winkler case. She showed no emotion in her testimony and it was all a joke. Put her and her son away for life.
Just like the thugs in the hood. She saw that the defense worked for a white lady and decided to try it for herself. It worked for the most part. I think she and winkler both should have been put away for a long time. I am a man that doesn’t abuse and no I don’t know what it is like to be an abused woman. But, I do know that somewhere in there you have got to take responsibility for what you do or don’t do. Divorces are WAY to easy these days. Why not just leave?
You know no one can imagine how long eternity is. Just think… they have to pay for their sins for an eternity. People get away with a lot of things here, but not there.
Monique i will be glad when u get out KT
This is to the men or women that made a comment about Monique Johnson’s case. It is very evident that you were not in the court room to hear the evidence. You should only comment on things you know are true. It has always been said that when you assume something that you always make an ass out of yourself. If the Memphis Police Department had of prosecuted Tony Hayes when he beat his third wife, he would not have been on the streets of Memphis to do it to another woman. Instead, he made a phone call and the case went away. If Memphis Police Department had of gotten him help for his anger issues when he used deadly force on a suspect, instead of a three day suspension maybe he would have been here today. Before you comment make sure you have the facts before speaking ill of anyone. The only judge is God and not you.
Also, the prosecution lost the case because they did not have facts, they only had the word of a drug dealing fugitive named Kendall Young. If anyone sees Kendell ask him “why did Monique have to bring him toliet tissue to wipe his ass and food for his empty refrigerator?” The prosecution did not bring Kendell in as a witness, because they knew he was gong to perjury himself, like he did on the news. If there was a bullet in his mailbox, it was a message from the people he ran from in California. The news need to investigate their sources before they put them on tv. When they put false statements and fugitive informants on, it only makes it obvious that they do not report the truth only sensationalism.
Larry,
I wish you could have been in the courtroom to hear the State’s case. If you had, you would realize that Monique Johnson could have very easily walked away with a not guilty plea. The prosecutors did a horrible job in their attempt to paint Monique as a cold-blooded executioner. They had no evidence to back up their claims of premeditation.
Had Tony Hayes not been a cop, they would have absolutly went for a lesser charge.
While 2-4 is a very light sentence for taking a man’s life, Tony’s actions put himslef in that situation.
I pray that his family can forget the horrible things that they heard about him and remember the good qualities of what was a seriously flawed man.
I believe she was abused but also hurt dealing with a cheating man she fell in love with who was commiting adultry all wrong ends wrong, so yes she took matters into her own hands i think she should have reported this act of sexual and physical violence to the authorities and family also friends and then she would have proof of these incidents. Im sure she is regretful and also being eaten alive inside for involving her son in this crime but only GOD knows the truth and Monique has to make amends with the man above because in the end she has to answer to him a much higher power than the ones her on earth so Monique take this time to heal and ask for forgiveness and try to get your life back and raise your son. I really believe there was some type of abuse and its too late to change anything but life goes on.
What is sad about how people have commented on this case is that before there was a Mary Winkler or a Monique Johnson, there was an abused woman and after these two women’s cases there is going to be another abused woman. How can you measure abuse? How can you say, she should have left? How can you say, she should have called the police? It is a documented fact that abused women do not leave and those that do are stalked and dragged back. It is a documented fact that women turn to the police for help and are laughed at, told if he goes to jail, you will go to or just ignored. Search the internet for these cases and read about these women. Everything that seems unbelievable to you does not mean it did not happen. One day, you or one of your love ones maybe in a similiar sitiuation as these women mentioned above. And because you passed judgement on them, you or your love one(male or female) may receive the same scrutiny as they did. Maybe you or your love one will believed, maybe not.
Both Johnson and Winkler should have been charged with first degree murder, abuse or no abuse, they could have easily got up and left instead of killing their “significant others”! I don’t buy this battered woman syndrome because I was abused by my former live-in boyfriend one night when he decided he would punch me in my face-that one punch was all it took for me. As a strong woman, I am so tired of women allowing themselves to be punching bags and victims of unnecessary abuse. Do like me and the get the hell up out of there, especially if you have kids! MRS. WINKLER can not argue the point that she didn’t have anyone to turn to , especially after all this “MARY WINKLER FAN CLUB “members jumped to her rescue after she KILLED her husband. And, speaking about Ms. Johnson, she’s a murderer through and through-she had no legitimate ties to her victim-no marriage to him-no children by him; and, if he had abused her so much why didn’t she just grab her toothbrush and keep on stepping. Both these women are really sad representations of real women but most especially real mothers. Too bad they won’t get what they truly deserve!!!!!!
Working in Johnson’s favor is that the victim went to her home where he was killed. That makes it not unreasonable to believe that his death resulted from some altercation. Six shots could represent rage or it could represent a panicked and terrified victim.
Also working in Johnson’s favor is an unsympathetic victim. Hayes came across a serial adulterer. It’s therefore not a stretch to believe that he was also abusive. Some think that womanizing is by its nature abusive behavior.
I dont feel sorry for her. She killed someone, you can always leave if things are bad. No different than Mary Winkler. Both cold blooded murders
They weren’t married , so there was no adultery. As far as God goes. The last time I checked my Bible , living together or shacking up was wrong.That , boys and girls is called fornication.Like I say,thats what my Bible says.
Tony Baretta sez…
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time!!
Vigilante justice.
Get out Monique, get safe, THEN go after the abuser with vengence, WITHIN our legal system.
Call Dir. Godwin, the media, Corey B. Trotz, Javier Bailey, Jerry Springer, whomever to get results, rather than taking the law into your own hands.
Plus if you were justified in self-defense, call Blue Crush and confess.
It was adultery, as Tony Hayes was still married. His current wife testified that she believed that they were still together. Mr. Hayes had girlfriend that he cheated on with a another girlfiend, all while being married.
That does not justify Monique’s actions, but believe me, the evidence showed that Tony was no angel.
Woodsy Owl said:
“Give a Hoot, don’t pollute!”
I always see nasty folk tossing trash out of their cars in Memphis. Respect yourselves and the city and make Woodsy proud.
In the Mary Winkler case, I can understand how she would feel. Being a preacher’s wife or preacher’s kid is like being the preacher. Everyone is watching you. Your husband’s success is based on the fake front the preacher’s family must display to the public. I am a preacher’s son, plus I pastored a church myself. My wife and I went through trying times and divorce because of the stress.
In that particular religion the church teaches against divorce. If you are suppose to be an example to the congregation and you teach against divorce……how can you and the pastor have marriage problems? Unless you have been raised in that type of religious setting, it is very hard to understand.
However murder is also something the church teaches against. However, you can let something build up and build up until you snap. I believe that is what happened to Mary Winkler. I worry about her children. Her children are being raised by the same set of parents that raised her husband. I would be willing to bet that the way he was raised had something to do with the way he behaved toward women.
Many churchs teach the man is the head of the household. However the bible says the man is to love the wife as himself.
As for Monique, that sounds like a mess. He was screwing around on everyone. Why did she involve her son? Why wasn’t the son brought into the court room to testify about what happened? This I will never understand. All I can say about this case, is there is two sides to every story. Too bad we can not hear his side because she killed him.
Winkler and Monique are both murderers. I don’t care what the motivation, taking a life is never justified outside of self defense.
I don’t care how “watched” you feel as a preacher or a preacher’s wife or child, if you are in an unbearable situation then you need to leave. Get counseling or get away.
Instead of you sitting on line passing judgement on these two children of God, get yourself ready for God to come back and get those that are true and good. It is very obvious that many of you are not doing that. It appears that many of you are being evil and judgemental. God stated He is the only true judge.
Caution….
In case of rapture….
this Post will be unmanned……
Someone needs to read the WHOLE book of James
testing
Happy Black History Month!
Someone that knows the truth – kettle, pot?
Are you not judging the very people you rail against? What then, besides a hypocrite, does that make you?
What’s with this “thugs in the hood” statement, Proud? That’s a bit racist, in my mind. The fact of the matter is, I do NOT believe the victim did anything remotely close to abuse, as I don’t see how asking your significant other to perform as a part of your marital eroticy was worthy of a death sentence. This virtual acquittal is making the true victims of abusive relationships seem like they’re not being truthfil. It also makes it hard for men to sympathize with the victims, mainky because we now know all she has to do is cry “abuse”, and bang! We got what we deserved.
Monique Johnson was a scorned woman whose lover probably did not want the relationship to continue, but she did. This is all speculation on my oart, but the facts of this case are clear: She got away with murder.
Hey Tj, you were a man once when I called you on something, I appreciate that. I will return that in part, sorry. But, the “thugs in the hood” was not meant to blast or demean any black honest folks. It was just as it was said, the thugs. If it offended you, sorry.
I agree totally and I had to reread what I wrote to make sure I didn’t make a mistake. But, I said that too. I think the lady used a defense that she saw someoneles use and when it worked once she went for it and got off when guilty too.
we’re together on that friend.
Someone who knows the truth…..you have got to be kidding me…..with your wanna be holy than thou crap!
Let me give you a bit of advice boo, I suggest you sit down tonight and read your bible that you so preach about because my bible states “Thou shall not kill” now, Monique Johnson may be your friend or whatever and you think you know the truth but, when it is all said and done regardless of how much of a dog Tony Hayes was that was NO reason to take his life. And that my dear is not evil or judgemental, that is fact.
Bree, your comment was well said….
Prior to these two women, there were other women with the same defense and there will be other women whom will use this defense. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse did not start yesterday and it wont stop today. I hope whether you are a man or a woman that you never have to use this defense. It appears that if whether or not you were in a similiar situation, you believe you can get off because this is such a great defense to use. There are alot of women on death row, some doing life sentences, that have used this defense and it did not work for them. So, stop making this defense a cop out defense. It is not. It is very real and until you walk in these victims shoes, whether male or female, just keep your opinions to yourself.
Bree, I am not a hypocrite. I have not judged you or anyone else on this blog. I just asked that you do not judge situations that you do not understand. As, I have said before, until you walk in their shoes, you do not know what they had to do.
I know it was wrong for her to kill. But I was a abused woman myself. He hit, kicked me, shot at me many times. They make you feel like you are nothing. No friends at all. I left him after eight years of it. He said he would kill me if I ever lefted him. He came into my work and shot me in the chest. People like that will find you any where you go, even when you get away from them. They like the power of control. But she was wrong in taking a life of another and making her son get involved.
To those of you that say just leave, what is your response to the young lady that was beheaded and her limbs were cut off? She tried to leave. She went to the police, but was turned away. It is always easier for those who are not in the situation to talk. But, I guarantee you that you would not have come to this lady’s aid. You would just talk the talk and not walk the walk.
Someone who knows the truth……how is it that you know the truth, you know what time it is but, other people on the blog don’t? You don’t know how many of us on this blog have went through the same or similar situation (some may not chose to speak on it)……so, you truthfully can’t say we haven’t walked the walk or talked the talk. You seem to be voicing your opinions so, why can’t others voice their’s?
AS A PERSON WHO JUST HAD TO SERVE JURY DUTY ON A MURDER TRIAL AND DECIDE A DEFENDENT GUILTY OR INNOCENT, I HAVE TO SAY IT IS NOT AS EASY AS MOST THINK TO CONFICT SOMEONE OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER. THE PROSECUTION HAS TO PROVE THE CASE!! IF THEY DO NOT, THE JURY HAS NO CHOICE TO CONVICT THE DEFENDENT ON WHAT HAS BEEN PROVEN BY THE PROSECUTION. WHEN SOMEONE IS KILLED, WE ALL WANT TO BLAME SOMEONE. THE LAW IS NOT SO SIMPLE. APPARENTLY THE PROSECUTION DID NOT PROVE THEIR CASE AND THE JURY DID GAVE THIS LADY THE MAX THEY COULD GIVE ACCORDING TO THE LAW. IT’S NOT ALWAYS FAIR, BUT WE WOULD ALL WANT A JURY OF OUR PEERS IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO US OR ONE OF OUR FAMILY MEMBERS.
Has John Ford reported to jail yet?
I had a dream last night that Harold Ford Jr. held a press conference and said “THE FAMILY” will take care of John’s legal bills. Memphis, YOU have suffered enough! Take that money and spend it on your national search or a few more metal detectors!”
We all held hands and sang “Old Man River” after that(I’m not sure why)
It was glorious while it lasted!
I must have miss this one big time. I knew Tony when he worked at Railford’s. I am not going to kill someone and then go out to eat. that is too cold blooded.
I wish someone with Channel 3 would sensor some of this stuff. It’s obvious Proud of my heritage is racist. Some things just shouldn’t be said. Whoever this individual is, he/she is really an ignorant person. That’s why the world has so many issues. I’m surprised he agreed that a white woman should be in jail as well as the black woman. I too believe Ms. Johnson lied. I saw her on the news last night and she is guilty as……
After having spent some time with this woman while she was in jail, and no I wasnt an inmate, I can tell you folks, she is 100 PERCENT
sorry….she is 100 Percent a liar.
This woman is cold blooded, heartless and truely a killer. She has worked the system and she knew her way in and out of it. She will be back , she will kill again, because she is crazy. Oh, and her son……he isnt so innocent either, gang banger theif that preys on the innocent. Im sure after they dumped Tony’s lifeless body in his trunk, and went out for that dinner, they toasted themselves for what they pulled off.
Monique if there is any justice, somehow, you will find your way behind bars for a long time!
Post to John: Son didnt testify because a deal was made for him to make a statement against her. He was already facing agg robbery charges for robbing some hispanics at gun point. He had nothing to lose to cut a deal and get his butt out of jail.
Monique is a flat out trouble maker. She was law enforcement too…she knew the system she knows what she can get away with and is a flat out liar.
To person that knows the truth: you dont know jack God will judge we are supposed to forgive but there will still be justice other wise i will send every murderer robber drug dealer and other scum of society to your house and you pay to take care of them….see how long you live in this world, I gaurentee you will see the Maker quicker than intended.
Concerned adult: I am not a racist maam, or sir (whichever fits). I simply call a spade a spade (no pun intended). This lady was guilty, we agree, but she was trying to use a defense that worked for another lady and it is the mentality of some people to try what works to get their butts off. Now, if saying “thug in the hood” was racist. I guess I could be called that. You show me a person that lives like we are talking about in these school shootings and home invasions and etc that doesn’t deserve that title and I will appologize. After all, the black community chooses to use the term hood. Thug is not racist.
OH, Johnson is mixed so, she isn’t black or white. Or is that racist now?
Proud of my “Heritage”–I’ve read more than this particular topic and the comments you leave are sounding racist. I don’t know anything about you but, from your words, you do sound that way. As far as Ms. Johnson, as long as I can remember, she would be considered black. If you don’t want to be percieved as racist, stop making the comments you make. I had hoped this forum would be,for me, educational but it’s alot of name calling, race cards, blame games. I love this city and I realize we are in trouble. From education, to economically, to just about everything. You are probably a nice individual but you don’t come off that way. The comments you made about MCS on the other forums were utterly ridiculous. Regardless of the color, state, incident, those are all kids!!!! And with those comments, no wonder they do what they are doing. Are you more concerned with name calling than trying to solve problems? No race is any better than the other. We all live in this city, we all have to deal with it’s problems. Monique Johnson should be in jail for her crime but someone in this city decided to find her guilty of a lesser crime. No wonder our kids do what they do? What kind of role models are we for them? What kind of guidance are we setting for them?
Concerned, Actually I am a very nice person. Of course I am not going to build myself up here. The kids have NO roles models and I merely comment as I see things from my point of view. I have hugged and encouraged more black kids than I have white kids, frankly. I ge this racism stuff from another poster here and I try my best to defend the people that are of fair mindset here in this forsaken town.
There is an elelment here that does not want to do anything to make parents, kids and yes battered women accountable for their actions. If I am speeding, I am accountable, ask the radar cop. The people who commit a crime should be accountable just like Thompson is going to be (the former commissioner who is white) that confessed to his crime. I hope they treat him as anyother criminal because he makes me and other caucasions look bad that are trying to do well.
End result, be accountable and don’t play the race card with me. I am fiar if you are. But, I will stand for right!
Good Day!
Proud of my Heritage–Now you sound lke the man I think you are. You actually put a smile on my face that time. Thank you for stepping up and talking like a real person. I am a white person, in an interracial relationship. Help me in trying to get Memphis on track. We are the citizens here. This is our home, don’t you agree? We can do what the politicians won’t . Ultimatley, we live here in our neighborhoods. What happened to Neighborhood watches? There are enough of us Memphians to take back our neighborhoods and teach our kids right from wrong. We are putting our lives in the hands of everyone except ourselves. We put the responsibility of our kids on the schools when they didn’t give birth to them, WE DID. Can anyone reading this agree with me?
For all the Memphis men, Beware!!! I was told Monique could be out soon with time served. She and Mary Winkler should not be upset by the men they date or they’ll be next (with the defense of abuse)
Concerned, see it is not difficult to be civil and get respect when it is given too. You’re welcome. I was civil with another poster on here (TJ) and the last few days have been heck to pay on here with his form of racism (that he of course says there are no black racists). Anyway, I really respect other people and their thoughts if they share a common respect. That is the key to the harmony type thing you wish for this community.
Memphis is full of people on all sides of the race card that have NO idea how to be civil and respectful. Even the so called men of the cloth. They spew hatred then wonder why the hell someone doesn’t give them their respect. In the words of Aretha Franklin, “RESPECT, found out what it means to me”. If more folks would find out what it means then they could get respect. They don’t demand respect, they earn it.
Good day!
Mary Winkler killed her husband with a 12ga.shotgun, shot him in the back! She sets a pair of shoes on the rail while the jury could see them. Now why did the DA #1 let them sit there and #2 why did he not ask where and who purchased them and how long had she had them? He questioned her about the check scam and she shot him knowing she had been found out on this scam she had fallen into. The DA was very lax in his duty in this case as was this cop killing. Very sad that these both got off for killing someone!
Sick Of This Woman, you need to get another job!!!!!!!!! Working in the prison system has made you STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are already mentally behind bars. You need some help. I guaranree you that you will be where you are working at soon and not as a jailer, but an inmate.