BOURG, La. — A 70-year-old man stands accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife amid a bitter divorce dispute, an act police say was aimed at safeguarding his property. The case, which began on December 1, 2015, gained renewed urgency this month after a lengthy investigation.
The tragic turn of events unfolded when two children reported that their grandmother, Pamela Johnson, had been fatally shot in a vehicle parked nearby. Initial inquiries led to a lull in the investigation, with significant arrests not occurring until 2022. During that year, Shannon Robinson, 40, and his brother, George Earl Robinson Jr., 33, were taken into custody, both facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. However, a grand jury ultimately did not press charges against them.
On September 17, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced a breakthrough in the case. Newly uncovered evidence prompted the arrests of Shannon Robinson, now 43, and Pamela Johnson’s husband, Charles Johnson. Soignet expressed confidence in their ability to secure justice for the victim’s family, emphasizing the importance of establishing proof over speculation.
“We had our suspicions, but the evidence had to substantiate those beliefs,” Soignet remarked in a press conference. District Attorney Joseph Waitz supported this claim, indicating that Charles Johnson allegedly orchestrated the contract killing to preserve his assets during a deteriorating marriage.
“This is a deeply troubling case rooted in a domestic dispute over community property,” Waitz stated. “It’s tragic that it has escalated to this level.”
While George Earl Robinson Jr. has not been recharged, authorities mentioned that future developments could still arise. The complexities and emotional toll of the case underscore the dark consequences that can follow contentious legal battles involving family and finances.