Accused teen won’t take stand

BOISE – A teenager on trial for allegedly shooting her parents in September 2003 has refused to testify in her own defense.

Fifth District Court Judge Barry Wood asked a teary Sarah Johnson, 18, if she understood the implications of her decision.

“Once this trial is concluded, you cannot change your mind about testifying,” he said.

Closing arguments are expected to begin next Monday.

Prosecutors allege Johnson, then 16, shot her parents on Sept. 2, 2003, because they wanted to turn over her 19-year-old boyfriend to authorities for statutory rape.

Johnson’s defense team, led by Bob Pangburn, opened its case last week with the argument: “No blood, no guilt.”

Pangburn said the defense will use scientific and forensic evidence to show Sarah Johnson is not responsible for the shootings.

Meanwhile, defense witnesses who lived near the Johnsons testified Monday to hearing an unusually loud car driving through the streets the morning of the murders.

“It’s a quiet street, and I could hear it idling,” said Amber Annen, who lives across the highway from the street on which the Johnsons lived.