Bond request denied in Chesapeake slaying

CHESAPEAKE

Authorities say several witnesses watched as Benjamin B. Johnson got into a fight with Marcia, his wife of four years, then ran over her with a vehicle outside their Deep Creek home before stabbing her more than 15 times and fleeing naked in another vehicle.

That summation of the case against Johnson, 51, came Friday during his attempt to be freed on bond pending his murder trial. Judge John Brown denied his request. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 5.

Amina Methany, senior assistant public defender, told the judge her evidence will show that Johnson interrupted an argument between Marcia Johnson, 45, and her daughter on the evening of Nov. 13. During a struggle, the daughter cut him with a knife, knocked out teeth and hit him on the head so he blacked out and left the house naked, remembering nothing about his wife's death, Methany said.