By By Adam Prestridge
An Atmore man charged in the shaking death of his infant son, Elias Ocean Johnson, on Feb. 20, 2005 will stand trail in Brewton beginning Monday, Dec. 4 in the 21st Judicial Circuit Criminal Court.
Christopher Thomas Johnson, 34, of Atmore, was arrested and charged with capital murder in the death of his son. According to published reports, Atmore police allege that Johnson beat, bit and asphyxiated the child after a night of drinking with friends at his 103 West Horner Street home.
"The injuries that were discovered definitely appeared that the child had been physically abused," Atmore investigator Chuck Brooks said the day following the crime.
At approximately 9:17 a.m. the morning of Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, the Atmore Police Department responded to a 911 call to the Johnson home where it had been reported that a male infant was not breathing and non responsive, according to police statements. APD officers along with medics from Atmore Ambulance Service responded to the scene, where the child was transported to Atmore Community Hospital. An intensive effort to revive the child was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to Atmore P.D. officials the day following the murder, no foul play was suspected at the scene of the incident until hospital officials contacted APD officers when visible injuries to the child were discovered. Upon arrival, investigators noted the injuries and immediately called in a forensic unit and began a criminal investigation into the child's death.
Following an extensive investigation, Christopher Thomas Johnson was arrested around 1 p.m. that Sunday afternoon.
According to police reports, Christopher Johnson has been arrested numerous times on various charges including armed robbery in Pensacola, larceny in Florida, burglary, theft, public intoxication, criminal trespassing and numerous failure to appear charges.
Capital murder is a Class A felony and is punishable by death or life in prison without parole.