The Crusader Newspaper Group

Funeral set for murdered Crusader employee

Crusader staff report

Funeral services are set for Carlos Johnson, a Gary Crusader employee who was stabbed to death more than a week ago during an argument in an apartment building.

A wake will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9th at Powell and Coleman Funeral Home, 3200 W. 15th Ave. in Gary. After the wake, the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. at the same location.

Johnson was a beloved employee of the Gary Crusader who was killed during an argument on Tuesday, March 26 in Gary. Days later, Edward Miller, 76, was  charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter in connection with Johnson’s death.

According to an affidavit, Miller said he stabbed Johnson with a butcher knife after a heated argument that the two had in an apartment at 100 W 11th Ave. in Gary. Police arrived on the scene after responding to an emergency call about a stabbing.

According to the affidavit, Miller told police that he and Johnson were arguing hours after Johnson arrived at the apartment at noon on March 26. Miller said both of them had been drinking.

Miller told police that he is a retired drag queen and Johnson was calling him derogatory names. As the argument, heated, Miller said Johnson grabbed a knife and also said he should get his gun. Miller said Johnson made “stabbing motions” at him. Miller said he grabbed a butcher knife and stabbed Johnson one time in the arm. Johnson was later taken to the emergency room at Methodist Hospital North Lake campus, where he died at 7:47 p.m., March 26. The affidavit did not say whether Miller suffered any injuries.

Police said Miller’s version of events were inconsistent with the wounds Johnson sustained during the fight. Miller said he stabbed Johnson one time, but the affidavit said Johnson had “cuts to his left forearm, right triceps, right shoulder blade and left neck areas.”

According to the affidavit, Miller was questioned several times about the incident. He was read his rights several times before he was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter, a level two felony.

Police learned that Miller had an active warrant for his arrest in Clark County, Indiana. Tarrena Parks, the manager of the apartment building where the incident took place, told police that Miller was once a tenant there, but moved out after being served with a 14-day eviction notice. According to the affidavit, Parks said Miller had been involved in another stabbing last year, but no details were given.

Johnson, who was a Gary native and graduate of West Side High School, was a former employee of Central Paints prior to joining the Gary Crusader. Johnson had worked for the Gary Crusader in the circulation department. Funeral arrangements are pending.

 

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