Topline: The man was convicted of his charges on Wednesday.
Published: April 12, 2025 7:00 am ET
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James Bernard Johnson (via Polk County Sheriff's Office)
DES MOINES, IA — An Iowa man was convicted of killing a woman who refused to “come get high” with him.
James Bernard Johnson, 43, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder Wednesday for shooting Nikki Loffredo last summer, the Polk County Attorney’s Office said.
After a weeklong trial, the jury deliberated Tuesday afternoon and a portion of Wednesday morning before announcing its verdict.
Johnson took the stand and said he saw Loffredo walking on Euclid Avenue, in Des Moines, Iowa, early on July 27 and planned to approach her.
He saw her again at the at the intersection of East Ovid Avenue and Cambridge Street at 3:48 a.m. From his GMC Yukon, he yelled at her to “come get high” with him, and according to him, she responded, “Who are you? Never mind, f— off.”
Johnson told the court he felt “disrespected” and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his Tahoe, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her.
He then sped off in the vehicle.
Loffredo, 42, died July 29, 2024, of her wounds.
Johnson denied that he intended to kill her.
Prosecutors said there was no previous connection between Johnson and Loffredo.
Johnson was arrested on August 2 after investigators gathered evidence including text messages between him and his girlfriend admitting he had “popped” someone recently.
Johnson said he had consumed cocaine and marijuana the day of the shooting, and he has previous drug convictions. He stipulated to the charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Johnson faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 20.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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James Bernard Johnson (via Polk County Sheriff's Office)
DES MOINES, IA — An Iowa man was convicted of killing a woman who refused to “come get high” with him.
James Bernard Johnson, 43, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder Wednesday for shooting Nikki Loffredo last summer, the Polk County Attorney’s Office said.
After a weeklong trial, the jury deliberated Tuesday afternoon and a portion of Wednesday morning before announcing its verdict.
Johnson took the stand and said he saw Loffredo walking on Euclid Avenue, in Des Moines, Iowa, early on July 27 and planned to approach her.
He saw her again at the at the intersection of East Ovid Avenue and Cambridge Street at 3:48 a.m. From his GMC Yukon, he yelled at her to “come get high” with him, and according to him, she responded, “Who are you? Never mind, f— off.”
Johnson told the court he felt “disrespected” and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his Tahoe, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her.
He then sped off in the vehicle.
Loffredo, 42, died July 29, 2024, of her wounds.
Johnson denied that he intended to kill her.
Prosecutors said there was no previous connection between Johnson and Loffredo.
Johnson was arrested on August 2 after investigators gathered evidence including text messages between him and his girlfriend admitting he had “popped” someone recently.
Johnson said he had consumed cocaine and marijuana the day of the shooting, and he has previous drug convictions. He stipulated to the charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Johnson faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 20.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
‘Disrespected’ Man Shoots Woman Dead on Sidewalk After She Refuses to ‘Come Get High’
The man was convicted of his charges on Wednesday.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 12, 2025 7:00 am ET
James Bernard Johnson (via Polk County Sheriff's Office)
DES MOINES, IA — An Iowa man was convicted of killing a woman who refused to “come get high” with him.
James Bernard Johnson, 43, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder Wednesday for shooting Nikki Loffredo last summer, the Polk County Attorney’s Office said.
After a weeklong trial, the jury deliberated Tuesday afternoon and a portion of Wednesday morning before announcing its verdict.
Johnson took the stand and said he saw Loffredo walking on Euclid Avenue, in Des Moines, Iowa, early on July 27 and planned to approach her.
He saw her again at the at the intersection of East Ovid Avenue and Cambridge Street at 3:48 a.m. From his GMC Yukon, he yelled at her to “come get high” with him, and according to him, she responded, “Who are you? Never mind, f— off.”
Johnson told the court he felt “disrespected” and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his Tahoe, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her.
He then sped off in the vehicle.
Loffredo, 42, died July 29, 2024, of her wounds.
Johnson denied that he intended to kill her.
Prosecutors said there was no previous connection between Johnson and Loffredo.
Johnson was arrested on August 2 after investigators gathered evidence including text messages between him and his girlfriend admitting he had “popped” someone recently.
Johnson said he had consumed cocaine and marijuana the day of the shooting, and he has previous drug convictions. He stipulated to the charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon.
Johnson faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 20.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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