Salisbury Man Found Guilty Of Beating Neighbor To Death

The Salisbury man found guilty for beating his neighbor to death while he slept is sentenced to Life in Prison without Parole plus 20 years.

This morning, a Wicomico County Circuit Court judge sentenced 53-year-old John W. Donahue to Life without the Possibility of Parole for his March 25, 2010 guilty conviction of First Degree Murder. In addition, Donahue was sentenced to a consecutive 20 years for his Armed Robbery conviction and 15 years concurrent for Felony Theft.

State’s Attorney Davis R. Ruark and Assistant State’s Attorney Ella Disharoon say, “We are grateful to the jury that convicted Donahue and we believe that the sentence imposed was appropriate. We commend the work of the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation on this case. The investigation was excellent.” Ruark adds, “Lynn Johnson’s family are exceptional people, and the legacy that Mr. Johnson leaves behind with his sons is a testament to his character.”

Ruark says on or about April 25, 2009 Donahue killed Humbird “Lynn” Johnson by repeatedly beating his head with a blunt object while the victim slept in his own bed. Investigators say Johnson’s body was discovered at least a week after his murder at which time Johnson’s sons called police after their father had not responded to their telephone calls and someone other than their father answered Johnson’s cell phone. The victim and Donahue were neighbors at the Parkwood Apartment Homes on Beaglin Park Drive in Salisbury. Donahue was identified on video tape as trying to make a cash advance on the victim’s credit card on the same day Johnson was murdered. Donahue flew to Las Vegas days after the murder and upon his return stated to a neighbor that he spent the victim’s money. In addition, Donahue admitted to investigators that he gave Johnson’s cell phone to a friend and the victim’s DNA was found on the telephone. The DNA of Donahue was found on a beer bottle inside the victim’s apartment and the defendant stated to investigators that he had never been inside the apartment. Donahue ultimately withdrew $2,700 from Johnson’s bank account. Johnson was 61 years old and as one of his sons stated in a victim impact letter, “He never had the opportunity to be a grandfather.”