KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced charges against a Kansas City man in connection with a fatal stabbing and assault stemming from a domestic dispute.
Leonard J. Johnson, 54, faces 2nd Degree Murder, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and 1st Degree Assault.
According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a residence on Dec. 22 on a reported cutting and located an injured victim who said she was stabbed in her head and neck area while in a vehicle with the defendant. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Detectives found the defendant’s vehicle at his home with blood and a knife in plain view inside the vehicle. While at his home, police located the defendant who had apparent blood on his hands and shoes. He was taken into custody without incident.
Officers were informed by a party on scene that there was a deceased female in the residence. Officers then entered the defendant’s residence and found a deceased female victim on the kitchen floor with several stab wounds.
Witnesses reported to police that the deceased victim was the defendant’s girlfriend, and the defendant had a history of violence toward her.
During an interview with detectives, the defendant admitted that he killed the victim, then later said he didn’t kill anyone.
A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond at $500,000 cash-only.