Alcoa Man Pleads Guilty to Murder After Killing Couple in Home

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – Alcoa man pleaded guilty to two counts of murder on August 17, 2022. Knoxville District Attorney hopes this will bring closure to victims’ family.

According to District Attorney Charme Allen’s release,

On Wednesday, court was held for 44-year-old Ronnie Edward Johnson.  Following, Johnson has been convicted of two consecutive counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Johnson will spend 102 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Earlier, in March 2020, a domestic dispute between Ronnie Johnson and his fiancé had quickly escalated. Continuing, Johnson had accused his girlfriend of cheating on him and attempted to strangle her in the neighborhood of the Live Oak Circle Home involved.

After, the girlfriend had been able to escape the dispute. Then, she ran to the nearest home. The homeowners were the 67-year-old couple Boyd Michaels Beets and Doris Campbell Beets. Following the escape, Johnson drove his car into the Live Oak home.

Once the homeowners came to check what had happened, Johnson excited his car and shot both Mr. and Mrs. Beets. 

Continuing, the victims’ family was devastated. The family has described the couple as giving and amazing. The daughter of the victims made a statement thanking Johnson for keeping the family out of a trial and forgiving him so she would not hold on to any anger.

Following, Johnson made a statement apologizing for all of the pain he had caused.

Johnson took the plea deal in agreement that he will serve two consecutive life sentences. The Knoxville District Attorney hopes this has brought closure to the family.

Concluding, a life sentence in Tennessee means the guilty will have to serve for 50 years before eligible for parole. Robbie Johnson will not be considered until 2121.