Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/07/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorneys: Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs Deputy District Attorney Maria Leftwich

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Petaluma Man Pleads No Contest in Death of Friend

Andrew Karl Johansen pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter today in the Sonoma County Superior Court. The 22 year old Petaluma resident shot his friend Justin Pope, also of Petaluma, during the early morning hours of July 6, 2002. The two young men were celebrating the birthday of a friend of Johansen’s sister at a party in the Johansen home.

On numerous occasions, individuals observed Johansen to have pointed a loaded semi-automatic handgun and “dry fired” it at Pope and other party attendees during the party. Witnesses observed Johansen place the gun to Pope’s head. The weapon discharged, killing his friend. Witnesses described Johansen as being surprised and upset after the gun discharged. Johansen was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana.

Johansen was also charged with and pled to felony possession of marijuana for sale while being armed, felony possession of three illegal assault rifles, and a misdemeanor brandishing of a firearm. As a result of his plea to the homicide and the other offenses, Johansen will be sentenced to 19 years in state prison. Charges of second degree murder and assault with a firearm will be dismissed at time of sentencing. Sentencing has been set for December 18, 2003, in the courtroom of the Honorable Robert Boyd.

“The victim’s family supported the resolution of this tragic case,” said Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs and Deputy District Attorney Maria Leftwich were assigned to prosecute the case which was scheduled to commence trial on November 17.