Man from Springfield Sentenced for Murder that Occurred During Break-In

A man from Springfield will spend several years in prison for a murder that he did not commit during a home invasion.

Investigators say Rick Johnson Jr, his father Rick Johnson Sr. and Joshua Woods were attempting to break into a unit at an apartment complex in Springfield in June of 2020.

Both men said they were searching for a person they believe stole from the elder Johnson.

While breaking into the apartment, the resident inside opened fire, shooting and killing Woods.

Prosecutors say that while neither of the two men fired the shot that killed Woods, the death occurred during a felony crime they were taking part in, making them culpable to second-degree murder charges according to Missouri law.

The elder Johnson was sentenced to 12 years in prison earlier this year, while Johnson Jr. was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week after changing his plea to guilty.