HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Norman Johnson, 42, accused of fatally shooting a Katy couple in their home last month, appeared before a Harris County judge for the first time since being charged with their murders.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel was at Johnson’s probable cause hearing on Wednesday. Although Johnson was arrested in the Austin area, he has now been officially brought back to Harris County.
The hearing was brief, with the judge saying Johnson’s case is being referred to a district court where his bond will be set.
Wearing a bright orange jail shirt, Johnson stood before the judge as the charges were read.
“The allegations are that you shot and killed two complainants inside their home,” the judge said.
Johnson appeared calm during the hearing, stretching his arm on the courtroom pew before leaving.
Investigators say it has been more than three weeks since Johnson allegedly shot and killed high school sweethearts Trinette and Christopher Lopez in their Katy home. Their two adult children and 7-year-old adopted daughter were jolted awake by the gunfire.
Records show Johnson is related to Trinette, and the 7-year-old girl is his biological daughter. Detectives believe a child custody dispute may have been the motive behind the violent killings.
Johnson, who is from the Austin area, is accused of driving his wife’s car overnight to the Lopez home. He reportedly waited outside for more than an hour before opening fire and then fled back home.
Two days after the murders, Johnson was arrested in Williamson County on an outstanding harassment warrant. He had previously been accused of threatening to kill Christopher Lopez over custody issues two years ago.
Johnson was released the next day but was later taken back into custody after surveillance and toll records linked him to the murders. He now faces capital murder charges.
Johnson is due back in court Thursday morning at 9:05 am where a judge will set his bail.