Dominic Johnson’s trial expected to finish by Thanksgiving, according to judge

PALMER— Dominic Johnson, one of four teens charged in the murder of fellow teen David Grunwald, will see his trial begin in November and should be finished by Thanksgiving or shortly after, according to Judge Gregory Heath.

“We want to keep things going on a planned progress,” Heath said during a Monday status hearing.

The original trial was set for September but Heath wanted to give both parties time to prepare, including giving Johnson’s attorney a copy of the court transcripts from Erick Almandinger’s recently completed murder trial.

Almandinger was recently found guilty on all charges related to Grunwald’s death, including kidnapping and multiple counts of murder. Johnson is next on the list of suspects and the other two, Austin Barrett and Bradley Renfro are scheduled to have their pre-trial conferences on June 21, according to court documents.

Johnson will have an evidentiary hearing August 14 and 15 to go over pending motions filed by his attorney, including one motion to limit crime scene and autopsy pictures. Johnson’s attorney also filed a motion to suppress the seizure of cell phones and statement and change of venue.

Almandinger, Barrett, Johnson and Renfro are all accused of orchestrating and participating in the savage beating, pistol whipping, kidnapping, and murder of Grunwald and the subsequent evidence destruction after, including torching Grunwald’s Ford Bronco.

Almandinger admitted during his interrogation that he helped burn the Bronco and tried to cover up the remaining evidence. Almandinger’s attorney tried to get his client off with manslaughter, claiming that the 16 year old was “too scared” to stop the death or do anything afterwards. The jury wasn’t convinced. Almandinger was the first trial and the first guilty verdict for Grunwald murder case. Johnson, Barrett and Renfro’s upcoming trials will surely be affected. “I think, in a lot of ways, it will be very similar,” said Palmer District Attorney Roman J. Kalytiak.

During Almandinger’s trial, the defense pointed the finger two different shooters — Johnson and Barrett — but only one bullet was used to kill Grunwald. Almandinger did not testify, and with these trials pending, still no one has confessed to pulling the trigger.

“I hope they’re all shaking in their boots,” said Grunwald’s mother, Edie.

Heath wanted to begin jury selection with questionnaires by October 23. He also added an extra panel to help ensure fairness, bolstering the total to 240 people to choose from. Johnson’s soonest day back in court will be July 24 for a status hearing.