Teen Escapes Manslaughter Charge In Stabbing Of Brother

A manslaughter charge against a teenager in the stabbing death of her brother has been dropped because of evidence showing she acted in self-defense.

The charge against Lois Johnson, 19, was dismissed Thursday, said Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the King County prosecutor’s office.

Police investigators found that Tyler Johnson, 15, nearly 6 feet tall and 250 pounds, threatened his smaller sister with a hammer and lunged at her with his fist directed at her head before she stabbed him with a steak knife Jan. 17 in the parking lot of a discount chain store in Renton.

Their mother, Lena Johnson, driving from Tacoma to Seattle, had pulled off the road when the two began fighting in the back of the station wagon after the sister had accused the brother of taking a couple of dollars and a lighter from her coat pocket.

The family is relieved that charges have been dropped, defense lawyer Ray McFarland said.

“She had insisted from the beginning that she loved her brother and did not intend to harm him,” McFarland said. “She’s going to live with this for the rest of her life, but she’s grateful this chapter can now be put behind her.”