Testimony to begin today in Price retrial

By Kurt Allemeier | Tuesday, August 07, 2007

An 11-man, one-woman Scott County jury will hear opening statements and prosecution testimony today in the second version of Megan Price’s second-degree murder trial.

Price, 21, of 3232 Sunnyside Ave., Davenport, admitted to police and then in court during May to fatally stabbing her boyfriend, Allen Christopher Johnson, 34, of Davenport, on Jan. 5, but she said it was in self-defense after enduring months of physical abuse during their 11-month relationship.

A Scott County jury could not reach a verdict in May, forcing the case to go to trial once again, this time with the prosecution being presented by acting Scott County Attorney Mike Walton. Walton will be sworn in as Scott County Attorney today, shortly before the trial is gaveled into session.

Walton replaces longtime Scott County Attorney Bill Davis, who announced his resignation last week. Davis oversaw the prosecution case during the first trial. Dave Treimer is back as Price’s defense attorney.

Johnson was found dead in the living room in the north half of a duplex at 316 S. Elmwood Ave., Davenport, about 5 a.m. Jan. 5. Police were called to the residence by Price.