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State To Seek Death Penalty In Kidnapping, Slaying

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 3, 2009

TAMPA - Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Vincent George Brown, indicted on charges of kidnapping and killing his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Johnson.

Prosecutors will file official notice Wednesday before Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Robert Foster.

Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi confirmed today that the state attorney's office would seek the death penalty but would not comment further because it is a pending case.

Prosecutors had 45 days to make the decision after a grand jury indicted Brown in January. He pleaded not guilty to both charges last month.

Brown, 39, is accused of strangling Johnson, the mother of his 2-year-old daughter, and dumping her body in an abandoned house in Lakeland.

Relatives of Johnson, 31, reported her missing Nov. 15 when she didn't show up for her daughter's birthday party.

Police said Johnson was seen arguing with Brown the night before at a Tampa nightclub and was at his parents' house Nov. 15. Brown later was seen driving her car.

Brown is serving 13 months in state prison on 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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