Man sentenced 10 years for voluntary manslaughter

A South Linden man has pleaded guilty in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to voluntary manslaughter to avoid a murder trial and received a 10year prison sentence.

Kevin Warren Johnson, 57, admitted Monday to fatally shooting 32-year-old Jermar Watters, of the East Side, on June 22, 2020 on East 17th Avenue in

South Linden. Jury selection had begun Monday on Johnson’s trial for murder, felonious assault and other charges when he took the plea deal.

Johnson was at the home of his longtime girlfriend when he left the house and got into an altercation with Watters, a close friend of his girlfriend, according to Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack’s office. Johnson returned later with a gun and exchanged gunfire with Watters, who was struck, according to prosecutors.

Watters was transported in critical condition to a local hospital, where he died.

Johnson fled the scene after the shooting and disposed of his gun, Tyack’s office said.

Johnson’s attorney, Larry Thomas, confirmed Johnson and Watters both shot at each other during an argument.

Johnson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a gun specification, and Franklin County prosecutors dropped other charges as part of the plea deal.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni immediately sentenced Johnson to a total prison term of 10 years at the joint recommendation of prosecutors and Thomas.

Johnson has more than two years and seven months of jail time served that will be credited toward his sentence. jlaird@dispatch.com @Lairdwrites