Jul 2, 2007 11:11 pm US/Eastern
Brother Alleges Man Who Shot Rim Thief Knew Victim
by Dennis Edwards
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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A homeowner shot a man who he says was trying to steal wheels off his car.
CBS
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Investigators found two of Charles Brockington's tires rims in Joseph Johnson Jr.'s car.
CBS
Police say he was stealing the rims off a luxury car when he was shot.
But the victim's family paints a very different picture.
The brother of Joseph Johnson says there's more to this story than an alleged car theft. He tells
Eyewitness News there was a prior relationship between the two men and the dispute over the rims had nothing to do with theft.
Michael Johnson is struggling to come to grips with the death of his older brother, Joseph. He disputes court records that say the 29-year-old stole the rims off Charles Brockington's car when the married stepfather of two children fatally shot Johnson as he fled the scene.
"We knew this guy, so first of all, he's lying," Johnson said.
Johnson says there was an ongoing dispute between the two men over the rims.
Investigators tell
Eyewitness News they have not looked into a prior relationship because of Brockington's confession. They say those circumstances wouldn't change the charges, but Johnson says the investigation story doesn't add up.
"When you came outside and you saw him with your rims, you should have bucked off in the air. You should have bucked off at him right there, therefore he wouldn't have ever gotten back in the car. But you waited," Johnson said.
Eyewitness News has learned both men had prior convictions. Johnson was convicted for car theft and had burglary charges pending. Brockington had done time in prison on convictions for burglary, attempted murder, assault and drug distribution.
Johnson wants to make sure justice is done for his brother. He admits his brother lived a troubled life, but says he didn't deserve to die this way.
"The only reason why I'm so hurt is because you took my brother's life over some rims," Johnson said.
Brockington is still behind bars. Earlier Monday, a judge denied bail despite his attorney's claims he would not be a risk for flight.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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