Heritage Ranch man enters plea in killing of pregnant girlfriend and her baby
A Heritage Ranch man accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson, 31, allegedly killed Carrington Broussard, 27, on March 3 before leading police on a chase up the North Coast in a stolen California Highway Patrol vehicle.
Broussard was nine months pregnant at the time of her death, and her baby boy did not survive.
Johnson appeared before Superior Court Judge Dodie Harman — flanked by attorneys Kenneth Cirisan and William McLennan of the county Public Defender’s Office — and pleaded not guilty to all seven charges against him.
He faces two murder charges, one for allegedly killing Broussard and the other for the death of the unborn baby.
The hearing was Johnson’s third court appearance since his arrest. During his last hearing, the Public Defender’s Office filed a motion requesting McLennan be appointed as second counsel, as Johnson could face the death penalty.
McLennan is also currently serving as second counsel in another capital case — that of Carlo Alberto Fuentes Flores, who’s accused of raping and killing Nancy Woodrum in rural Paso Robles.
Johnson’s next court appearance, a preliminary hearing, will take place at 8:30 a.m. on June 3 before Superior Court Judge Craig Van Rooyen.
This story was originally published April 3, 2019 at 4:06 PM.
