George Pleads Not Guilty on Murder, Escape, Other Counts

Johnaton Sampson George, who is charged with killing a motorist after breaking out of a Sheriff’s Department van, pleaded not guilty Friday to nine felony counts, including murder and escape.

San Diego Municipal Judge H. Ronald Domnitz scheduled a preliminary hearing for Nov. 30. Until then, George will continue to be held without bail in both the state and federal court systems.

As has been the case with all of George’s court appearances since he was taken into custody last week, county marshals took extraordinary security measures Friday. George, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit issued at the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center, was secured with both waist and ankle shackles. Four burly bailiffs standing at arm’s length stared at George throughout the short proceeding.

During the hearing, George was represented by a new attorney, Thomas P. Kelley, who must defend his client against charges that could lead to the death penalty.

The prosecution has filed two special-circumstances allegations against George, either of which could lead to the death penalty.

“I would assume that winning would be something less than being sentenced to die,” Kelley said, noting that he may even seek acquittal at some later point in the case. “Certainly, when there is a death (penalty) allegation, anything short of dying, I think, can be considered a victory, or justice, or however you want to look at it.”

George also appeared in the South Bay courthouse Thursday to receive a seven-year, eight-month sentence for his convictions last summer on charges of petty theft and escape.

Superior Court Judge Jesus Rodriguez ordered George to spend seven years in state prison for committing petty theft at a Big Bear supermarket in San Ysidro. The long prison term was the result of George’s long criminal history and because he was free on bail in another case. Rodriguez also gave George eight months in prison for escaping from the South Bay courthouse June 1, while he was awaiting the start of his petty theft trial.