BOISE, Idaho — The man accused of killing fellow inmate Milo Warnock has entered a plea of not guilty.
James M. Johnson pleaded not guilty on Wednesday at the Ada County Courthouse in the death of Milo Warnock. The two men were housed together in an Idaho Department of Correction facility.
According to Warnock's sister, Johnson was Warnock's cellmate.
The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) said an inmate beat Warnock to death at the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) on Dec. 10, 2023. Warnock's sister said he had fractures all over his skull and no defensive wounds on him.
As previously reported, Idaho State Police (ISP) investigated Warnock's death after his family said he was found beaten to death in his cell. He was assigned to a high-security, "close custody" cell where he spent 23 hours a day with a cellmate.
Johnson could face death or life in prison if he is convicted.
Warnock’s family blames not only the man who took his life but also the systems that led to his death. In May 2024, they began pursuing legal action against the state by filing a wrongful death claim notice. The claim said the State of Idaho, IDOC, its leaders and Centurion - the company responsible for inmate healthcare - acted "negligently and deliberately indifferent in preventing Warnock's death."
The family is asking for more than $463,000 in damages.