Charles A. Johnson (Oklahoma judge)
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Charles A. Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals | |
| In office October 31, 1989 – August 1, 2014 | |
| Appointed by | Henry Bellmon |
| Preceded by | Hez J. Bussey |
| Succeeded by | Robert L. Hudson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 19, 1931 |
| Died | August 25, 2023 (aged 92) |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA, LLB) |
Charles A. Johnson (January 19, 1931 – August 25, 2023) is a former judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, serving from 1989 to 2014.
Charles A. Johnson was born on January 19, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri.[1] He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma and his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1955.[2]
Career
He was active in the Reserve component of the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel, USAFR, having received the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. After being released from active duty in the United States Air Force, Johnson was a senior law partner with the law firm of Phipps, Johnson, Holmes & Hermanson.[2]
On October 31, 1989, he was appointed as a judge of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals by governor Henry Bellmon to fill the unexpired term of judge Hez J. Bussey, serving for District 2.[2] He had served as the court's presiding judge three times.[3] He retired from the bench on August 1, 2014, after serving for 25 years.[4][5]
Notable opinions
Johnson wrote the opinion in Bechtel vs State "which held that expert testimony about the Battered Woman Syndrome is admissible in Oklahoma courts."[6][7] He recused himself on an appeal arguing a battered woman defense, a case for April Wilkens, who shot and killed her abuser, Terry Carlton, because Johnson was a family friend of the victim's family, but not for her following appeals.[8]