WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) has asked the Marinette County, Wis., prosecutor to pursue federal charges against Scott Johnson for the July 31 shootings that left three Upper Peninsula teenagers dead.

After speaking with local law enforcement officials, local prosecutors and the families of the victims, Stupak urged federal prosecutors to pursue federal charges against Johnson and refer at least one of the three cases of first-degree intentional homicide to the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.

“As a former Escanaba police officer, Michigan State Police trooper and attorney, I know that even the best looking cases can go awry,” Stupak said.  “It appears federal charges are more than appropriate in this case and would serve as a backup to the case being brought in Wisconsin state courts.  A federal trial would also put the full array of sentencing options on the table for a jury to consider.”

The family of Bryan Mort, one of the three teenagers killed in the attack, personally met with Stupak to request his assistance in bringing Johnson’s charges to the U.S. Department of Justice. 

There are a number of benefits to turning over the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.  By trying Johnson at the federal level for the murder of Bryan Mort, and the other two murders at the state level, prosecutors have two opportunities to convict Johnson.  The federal charges would complement the case being brought in Marinette County.

In addition, the federal government has stronger penalties.  A federal case would allow a jury to consider the death penalty, an option which is not available in Wisconsin.  Finally, a recent news article suggested that Marinette County may not have the necessary resources to prosecute Johnson.

The full text of Stupak’s letter is below.

# # #

October 16, 2008

Mr. Brent DeBord

Marinette County District Attorney

1926 Hall Avenue

Marinette, WI 54143

Dear Mr. DeBord:

Scott J. Johnson has been accused of killing three teenagers and wounding a fourth in a shooting that occurred on July 31, 2008 along the Menominee River, the border between Wisconsin and Michigan.  I respectfully request that you pursue federal charges against Mr. Johnson and refer at least one of the three cases of first-degree intentional homicide to the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.

The family of Bryan Mort, one of the three teenagers killed in the attack, has requested my assistance in bringing Mr. Johnson’s charges to the U.S. Department of Justice.  There are a number of benefits to turning over the case to the U.S. Department of Justice.  By trying Mr. Johnson at the federal level for the murder of Bryan Mort, and the other two murders at the state level, prosecutors have two opportunities to convict Mr. Johnson.  The federal charges would complement the case being brought in Marinette County.

In addition, the federal government has stronger penalties.  A federal case would allow a jury to consider the death penalty, an option which is not available in Wisconsin.  Finally, recent news articles have suggested that Marinette County may not have the necessary resources to prosecute Mr. Johnson.

The Mort family would like Mr. Johnson to be tried for Bryan Mort’s murder at the federal level.  The local community supports this decision and is circulating petitions requesting federal prosecution.  I request that you honor the family’s and community’s request to allow Scott Johnson’s case to be handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.

Thank you for your consideration of my request.  Please feel free to contact me or Josephine Eckert of my staff at 202-225-4735 with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

BART STUPAK

Member of Congress

BTS/je

cc:  The Honorable Steve Kagen, United States House of Representatives

Sheriff Donald J. Charlevoix, Dickinson County Sheriff

Mr. Christopher Ninomiya, Dickinson County Prosecutor