Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Grandmother for Inheritance

I have previously discussed Brendan Lee Johnson, who was accused of killing his grandparents to get a $20,000 inheritance.  After pleading guilty on Thursday, Johnson will serve life in prison.  His alleged accomplice is facing the death penalty. 

Twenty-year-old Johnson pleaded guilty on Thursday to first-degree murder in the death of his grandmother, Shirley Severance.  As part of the agreement, District Attorney Brittny Lewton dropped all other charges and will no longer seek the death penalty against him.  Johnson’s girlfriend, Cassandra Rieb, is also charged with the deaths of Shirley and Charles Severance.  Just hours after Johnson changed his plea, she pleaded not guilty. 

See The Denver Channel, Brendan Lee Johnson Admits Killing Grandmother for $20k Inheritance, Girlfriend Still Facing Charges, ABC 7, March 13, 2015.