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State Wants Death Penalty In Kidnapping, Slaying

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 5, 2009

Vincent Brown

TAMPA - Prosecutors today formally filed their intent to seek the death penalty for Vincent Brown, charged in the kidnapping and killing of Jennifer Johnson, the mother of his 2-year-old daughter.

The filing with Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Robert Foster was delayed a day so Brown could be present. His public defenders had attempted to waive his appearance Wednesday, but Foster and prosecutors refused to go along with that because of the potential for a death sentence.

Brown's attorneys also said they might try to have the case transferred to Polk County.

Johnson's body was discovered in an abandoned house in Lakeland in November. She was last seen arguing with Brown at a Tampa nightclub Nov. 14 and at Brown's parents' house the following morning.

Johnson's relatives reported her missing after she failed to show up for her daughter's birthday party.

Hillsborough County authorities maintain Johnson was killed here, shortly after making a 911 call to Plant City police from the trunk of a car. They contend her body was dumped in Lakeland.

Foster asked Brown's attorneys if they were asking to transfer the case, but they said it was too early to do so. Foster told them to make a decision by an April 23 status hearing in the case.

Brown is serving a 13-month prison sentence on drug charges after a judge revoked his probation in November.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698.

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