KINGMAN, Ariz. – Ten years ago, on Dec. 14, 22-year-old Mathew Johnson was murdered in cold blood. He was shot multiple times, at close range, in the face and body, and left to die.
During those ten years, his grandmother, Helen Hutchins, has been in regular contact with the Mohave County Sheriff’s office to provide possible leads and to ask for updates on the case.
Last month, on Sept. 22, the Sheriff’s office called Mathew’s grandmother to tell her that an arrest had been made. A witness was willing to testify, and John Dee Page was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and incarcerated.
Last weekend, family members gathered in Kingman to remember Mathew, his mother Hollie who died of cancer while waiting for justice to be served, and other family members who have passed.
Several members of Mathew’s family were present in Mohave Superior Court on Friday when a Bond Reduction hearing took place. The defense attorney from Tempe, Ariz., was asking that the bail be reduced and that Page be released with an ankle monitor until a trial could take place.
A spokesman for the family addressed the court, explaining their concern for the safety of family members. They also expressed concern for potential witnesses if Page, whom had reportedly threatened eye witnesses after the shooting, were released from jail. They asked that Page remain in custody until a jury can decide his guilt or innocence.
Judge Megan McCoy ruled to reduce the secured bond by nearly 75 percent. The next hearing will be on Nov. 2 in Mohave County Superior Court.
Helen Hutchins publicly thanked Cold Case investigator Lori Miller and the detectives who worked the case. “She told me she would never give up on the case and she didn’t,” Hutchins said. “We are so grateful that there is now a chance that Mathew’s murdered will be brought to justice.
“When John Page is convicted, it will be for two deaths – Mathew’s and my daughter Hollie’s, because this violent act created the dis-ease (sic) that caused her death as well,” Hutchins added.
Charlotte Wells
