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Man Pleads Not Guilty In Kidnapping, Slaying Of Ex-Girlfriend

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Jennifer Johnson, 31, was reported missing last November when she didn't show up for her daughter's birthday party. Her body was found in an abandoned house in Lakeland.

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2009

Updated: 02/03/2009 10:40 am

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Vincent Brown

TAMPA - Vincent George Brown pleaded not guilty today to kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Johnson in November.

Brown, 39, entered his plea to kidnapping and first-degree murder charges before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Robert Foster.

Foster appointed a public defender to represent Brown and set a status conference in the case for March 19.

Brown, who was indicted last month, is accused of strangling Johnson, the mother of his 2-year-old daughter, and dumping her body in an abandoned house in Lakeland.

Assistant State Attorney Jalal Harb told the judge his office will decide whether to seek the death penalty for Brown in the next couple of weeks. Court rules gives prosecutors 45 days from the time Brown was indicted to make the decision.

Relatives of Johnson, 31, reported her missing Nov. 15 when she didn't show up for her daughter's birthday party. Johnson was seen arguing with Brown the night before at a Tampa nightclub and was at his parents' house Nov. 15, police said. Witnesses also told police they say Brown driving Johnson's car later on Nov. 15.

Plant City police received a 911 call Johnson placed from the trunk of a car. A deputy was dispatched to the area the cell towers indicated the call originated but couldn't find her.

Johnson's family huddled with Harb in his office after the hearing. They said the prosecutor updated them on the progress of the case and that they lobbied for seeking a death sentence.

"I don't think he should have taken her life like he did," said Alma Dorsey, Johnson's mother who wore a T-shirt with her daughter's picture and the words "Gone But Not Forgotten".

"He knows what he did."

The family said they believed others were involved in Johnson's disappearance and urged anyone with information to come forward to police.

"All we are asking for is to give us some peace of mind," said Tisha Collins, Johnson's cousin. "We are still hurting."

Brown is serving 13 months in state prison on state drug charges after a judge revoked his probation in November.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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