Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (34) has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2019 murder of Carrington Jane Broussard and her full-term unborn baby
Author: District Attorney
Date: 1/19/2022 3:05 PM
District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (4/23/1987) has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Carrington Jane Broussard (27) and their full-term unborn baby occurring at their home in rural Paso Robles in March of 2019.
On September 8, 2021, Johnson pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Ms. Broussard and the second-degree murder of their full-term unborn baby. Johnson also admitted the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, subjecting him to life in prison without the possibility of parole under current California law. It is worth noting, that because of the constant changes to California criminal law by the Legislature and by the voter initiative process, it is impossible to predict if changes in the law will someday make the defendant eligible for a parole hearing.
In the early morning hours of March 3, 2019, Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson fled from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in a high-speed vehicle pursuit through north coastal San Luis Obispo County. The pursuit began after Johnson stole a CHP vehicle from an officer who was assisting him. Johnson fled in the CHP patrol unit from Highway 46 near Templeton to an area north of San Simeon on Highway 1.
After Johnson was apprehended, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to his known residence near Heritage Ranch in Paso Robles. At the home, Sheriff's Deputies discovered the body of Ms. Broussard, who was identified as Mr. Johnson’s full-term pregnant girlfriend. Ms. Broussard was scheduled for her infant’s caesarean delivery the following day, March 4, 2019.
“We are satisfied that the defendant has now taken personal responsibility for his unimaginably horrific crimes,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “Life in prison without the possibility of parole is an appropriate sentence given that he took two innocent lives and assures he will not pose a danger to our community in the future. Our prayers are with the family and friends of Carrington and her unborn baby.”
The decision in this case to seek life in prison without the possibility of parole, rather than the death penalty, was made after careful consideration of all facts related to the case and the background of the defendant. Additionally, the District Attorney consulted with surviving family members of the victims and the involved law enforcement agencies. The District Attorney also met with the assigned defense counsel, who provided relevant background on the defendant for consideration.
The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Megan Baltierra and Deputy District Attorney Mike Frye.
Click here to view a copy of the amended information document. Click here to view a copy of the defendant’s photo.
Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.
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