McMartin Figure’s Death Cause Unclear : Mother’s Complaints Triggered Molestation Investigation

An autopsy conducted Saturday on the body of Judy Ann Johnson, whose complaints started the McMartin Pre-School molestation case, failed to establish a cause of death, a county coroner spokeswoman said.

Blood and brain tests, which will be completed later this week, are expected to reveal how she died, the spokeswoman, L. Shelton, added.

However, Greg Mooney, an attorney for Johnson’s son and former husband, said that authorities told the father that Mrs. Johnson appeared to have died of an internal hemorrhage. A medical textbook was found by her side, Mooney said, and the telephone was off the hook. Johnson, who had a history of ulcers, may have been trying to get help, investigators reportedly told the family. Authorities refused to comment on this report.

Johnson, 42, was found dead Friday in her Manhattan Beach home by an investigator who was called to the house by worried neighbors. Johnson had initiated the McMartin case in 1983 by accusing Raymond Buckey of sexually abusing her 2 1/2-year-old son. Because she figured so prominently in the case, sheriff’s homicide deputies have been called in to investigate her death.

Meanwhile, a defense attorney said that the death of Johnson would be much more damaging to the defendants in the case because “the truth” about the case will never be known.

The district attorney’s office Saturday refused to comment on how Johnson’s death might affect the case. However, her testimony at the preliminary hearing is included in the trial record. Only one of the 101 counts involve the Johnson child.

There have been allegations by defense attorneys that Johnson was mentally unstable and that her continuing phone calls to other parents caused the hysteria surrounding the case.

Bail Is Denied

Friday, Superior Court Judge William R. Ponders denied bail to Buckey because there had been previous testimony from children that he had allegedly threatened to harm them. The judge took note of admissions Wednesday by Deputy Dist. Atty. Lael Rubin that she failed for a year to inform defense attorneys of information casting a cloud over Mrs. Johnson’s credibility.

The withheld information includes a statement from Johnson maintaining Ray Buckey magically flew in the air and drilled a hole into the Johnson child’s armpit. The notes, which are now part of the court record, are not clear as to whether Johnson merely was reciting her son’s allegations or whether they reflected her beliefs as well.

Johnson also claimed that her son was molested by a school board member. Prosecutor Rubin said in court she thought that the charges were ridiculous, but admitted she “negligently” withheld information from defense attorneys.

“It’s a tragic circumstance all the way around,” said Dean Gits, attorney for Buckey’s mother, Peggy McMartin Buckey, who will also stand trial. “Beyond that, clearly what has been lost is another link or chance to tell what actually happened. . . . Her death will hurt the defense much more than the prosecution because I believe she was the genesis of the allegations and the catalyst that perpetuated them.”

However, a parent of a child allegedly molested at the school said that to characterize Johnson as the linchpin in the case would be inaccurate.

“The preschool was proceeding on a collision course and it would have come out anyway,” said the parent, who asked that his name not be used. “I never had any connection with Johnson before the grand jury and the stuff (molestation allegations) from my children came independent of that situation.”

Johnson had been expected to be called during the trial, scheduled to start Jan. 12. Buckey and his mother, who is free on bail, are charged with child molestation and conspiracy involving 14 former students at the Virginia McMartin Pre-School in Manhattan Beach.