BOISE, Idaho — A grand jury indicted a man on a first-degree murder charge and destruction/concealment of evidence in the death of a fellow inmate at the Idaho State Correctional Center.
The Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that James M. Johnson, 33, was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 27 for allegedly killing 45-year-old Milo Warnock in December 2023. Johnson appeared in court Tuesday.
According to Warnock's sister, Johnson was Warnock's cellmate.
KTVB obtained a copy of the Aug. 27 indictment, claiming Johnson, with malice and premeditation, killed Warnock by using blunt force. The indictment continued and stated Johnson willfully destroyed and concealed evidence by wiping the blood with a towel.
As previously reported, Idaho State Police (ISP) investigated Warnock's death after his family says 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.
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.
Johnson could face death or life in prison if he is convicted.
Johnson is set to appear again in Ada County on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
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.
