KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Portage man charged in the February slaying of his parents has been found competent to stand trial.
Judge Ann Blatchford in the 8th District Court issued a mental competency evaluation order during Nicholas Alexander Johnson's preliminary hearing March 2 in Kalamazoo. The county's prosecuting attorney, Jeffery Getting, did not object to the request.
Being found competent to stand trial means that the defendant is capable of understanding the legal proceedings and is able to assist in their defense.
Johnson, 28, is facing two counts of open murder, two counts of possessing a firearm while committing a felony and one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm following the murders of his parents, Gary and Laura Johnson.
Police started searching for the Johnsons on Tuesday, Feb. 9. That day, police were dispatched to the couple’s home for a welfare check on Gary, who had not reported to work in multiple days.
After attempts to make contact with anyone inside the home and a walk around the property, officers became suspicious and concerned for the wellbeing of the Johnsons. Officers made entry into the home and found that Gary and Laura – both in their mid-60s – were not present.
On Friday, Feb. 12, authorities recovered two bodies in the Gourdneck State Game Area off Vanderbilt and days later were confirmed to be the bodies of Gary and Laura.
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