Man pleads guilty to murder for 2021 shooting death of innocent roommate caught in feud
Timothy C. Johnson pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder for his role in the 2021 shooting death of Chandler Sweeney, a 23-year-old Springfield man investigators believe was caught in the crossfire of his new roommate's feud with two other men.
Johnson, 34, and Paul Morales, 30, were both believed to be involved in Sweeney's death, an altercation police say stemmed from the two men visiting a West Chestnut Street home with the intent to rob Ricky Rose, an alleged drug dealer.
Investigators believe a bullet from Morales' gun killed Sweeney, who appeared to have recently met Rose after renting out a room to Rose and is believed to have no connection to his dealings. Witnesses said Rose was shot in the leg by Johnson.
Morales was charged with second-degree murder under the traditional definition. Johnson was charged under Missouri's felony murder rule, which states that someone is culpable for murder if they commit a felony (in this case, unlawful possession of a firearm) and someone dies as a result.
Rose was also charged with murder because prosecutors believe his illegal drug activity led to the altercation with Morales and Johnson — both with alleged ties to the gang "Gangster Disciples" — and ultimately the death of Sweeney.
Sweeney, who worked in Real Estate prior to his death, had posted an ad for roommates on Facebook months before his death, according to relatives who spoke to local media about the case.
Johnson recently pleaded guilty to a federal felon in possession of a firearms charge. His sentencing for the charge is slated for Sept. 12.
Johnson was also convicted of armed robbery in 2010. He is scheduled for sentencing in November by Judge Kaiti Greenwade.
Morales, who faces a litany of charges in connection to the crime, begins his trial for Sweeney's death on Oct. 2.
Rose has a pre-trial conference set for Oct. 18 in other cases.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man pleads guilty to murder in Springfield roommate's 2021 death
