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There was talk that Johnson was going to get a divorce. It never took place. Then, Johnson started rumors that his wife, Alice, was ill. By June 11, 1858, Alice Johnson was found dead in her home.
A forensic first
Never before in the state of Virginia had evidence been gained for a trial with the use of forensic medicine. This was to be the first for the state.
Alice’s stomach was removed from her corpse and sent to Philadelphia, Pa. for testing. A Dr. Rogers of Philadelphia testified that the stomach contained strychnine. Rogers was paid $40 for his services.
Strychnine was found on the Johnson property, with Johnson himself having made the purchase just months before, reportedly to poison dogs who were chasing his sheep.
At the four-day trial, which was held at the Rappahannock County Courthouse 2,000 people heard testimony from the commonwealth’s 24 witnesses.
Of those witnesses, James Carter testified that he had “gone to Johnson’s place on June 10, 1858 and asked Mrs. Johnson how she was doing.”
Carter reported that she said she was doing well, but her children were sick.
Johnson brought two glasses of lemonade, one for Alice, one for himself.
Carter testified that Mrs. Johnson complained about the bitter taste of the lemonade. Later, she suffered from convulsions and cried out, “I’ve been poisoned, just like the dog. If I recover, I’ll never drink anything he gives me again.”
An arrest warrant was issued by Benjamin Kennedy of
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