South Kingstown man held without bail in death of wife. What to know.
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – A local man is being held without bail on charges that he killed his wife and threatened police officers with knives.
Keith Johnson, 62, appeared before District Court Judge J. Patrick O’Neill Thursday on a first-degree domestic murder charge for the alleged killing of his wife, 59-year-old Gina Johnson, and felony assault charges. He did not enter a plea, as is customary for felony charges, and the case has been referred to a grand jury, court records show.
Vigil being planned
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence is assisting family and friends in organizing a vigil for his alleged victim.
“Gina was a beloved member of the South Kingstown community with a vibrant life and dreams for her future. She leaves behind grieving family members and friends who are grappling with the profound loss caused by this horrific incident. The Domestic Violence advocacy community in Rhode Island extends its deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones,” Michelle LePage, executive director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, and Lucy Rios, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said in a statement this week.
Six out of the seven domestic violence homicides that have occurred in Rhode Island this year have involved victims aged 59 or older, they emphasized.
“This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence and the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention, and support for those affected. Domestic violence occurs across the lifespan and in every community in Rhode Island,” they continued.
Police: Suspect brandished knives
The police were alerted around 9 a.m., Wednesday, to reports of a man cutting through a backyard and located Keith Johnson on Church Street brandishing two knives, according to a police report.
Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Johnson walked away. He was tased after approaching officers with the knives, the police said.
Gina Johnson, meanwhile, had been found at the couple’s home at 78 Dam St., the police said. The cause of death remains pending at the state Department of Health.
More: Knife-wielding South Kingstown man charged with wife's murder, police say. What we know.
Community members interested in attending the vigil for Gina Johnson should check the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ricadv for updated information.
Victims in need of support or assistance in the Washington County area can contact the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County at 401-782-3990 or visit https://dvrcsc.org for resources and information on domestic violence prevention. The organization is dedicated to preventing and responding to domestic violence by working to change the social conditions, beliefs, and social actions that perpetuate abuse, the statement said.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: South Kingstown murder suspect held without bail in death of wife
