A murder victim’s attacker pleaded guilty to aggravated assault Tuesday morning in Lowndes County Circuit Court.
Johnny Bonner, also known as “Johnny Kuckles,” was sentenced to 20 years in prison without the status of being a habitual offender, per his plea bargain, Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Clemons said. That means he could be eligible for parole in 10 years.
Officers with the Columbus Police Department arrested Bonner in November 2013 for attacking Columbus resident Charles Moody. Court documents said Bonner slammed Moody to the ground and broke his neck.
Moody was found shot to death at his south Columbus home nearly three years later in September 2016. Though CPD opened a homicide investigation, no one has been charged in the case.
“Mr. Bonner is, from the state’s perspective, an incredibly dangerous individual, and I am grateful that Mr. Moody’s family did not have to sit through a trial, especially since his murder remains unsolved,” said Clemons, who prosecuted the case. “And I’m thankful that Mr. Bonner took responsibility to his actions.”
The Dispatch could not reach Bonner’s attorney, Mark Cliett, for comment.
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