PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man has been convicted in the murder of Kierra Johnson, an art student found dead in Cobbs Creek more than four years ago.
David Grier, 26, sat silently as the jury's foreperson read he was guilty of first-degree murder in Johnson's death by strangulation. Families of Grier and Johnson sat silently in another courtroom during the verdict reading.
Grier represented himself through the trial as prosecutors went through the evidence and testimony: His DNA under her fingernails, scratches on his hands, and surveillance video of the two walking near Cobbs Creek hours before Johnson was found dead.
Grier continued to point to the jogger who found her as the possible killer.
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Johnson had been strangled with something; prosecutors believe it was her bag's straps.
The two knew each other from high school. Prosecutors said that if Grier couldn’t have her, no one could.
Prosecutors also called on Grier and Johnson's former friends. They testified that Grier tried to distance himself from Johnson, and was emotionless at her funeral.
A detective also said Grier deleted his Facebook right around the time they believe Johnson was killed and told people he hadn’t spoken to her in weeks.
But Grier adamantly maintained he didn’t kill Johnson and said in court that this case was “the criminal justice system at its worst.” He also rejected a plea offer of third-degree murder.
First-degree murder carries an immediate life sentence, but sentencing will happen at a later date for families to read victim impact statements.
