Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (4/23/1987) Booking Photo (3/3/2019)
Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (4/23/1987) Booking Photo (3/3/2019)

Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson pleads guilty to murdering Carrington Jane Broussard and her full-term unborn baby

Author: District Attorney
Date: 9/8/2021 12:50:24 PM

Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (34) pleaded guilty in court today to the first-degree murder of Carrington Jane Broussard, second-degree murder of her full-term unborn baby, and admitted to the special circumstance of committing multiple murders. This plea requires a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson (4/23/1987) has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder for the killing of Carrington Jane Broussard (27) and her full-term unborn baby at their rural home in Paso Robles in 2019.

The charges stem from an incident which occurred in the early morning hours of March 3, 2019, involving a high-speed vehicle pursuit through San Luis Obispo County.  During that incident, the defendant stole a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle and fled from Highway 46 near Templeton to an area north of San Simeon on Highway 101.  After the defendant was apprehended, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a welfare check of his known residence near Heritage Ranch in Paso Robles.  After arriving at the home, Sheriff's Deputies discovered the body of Ms. Broussard, who was identified as Mr. Johnson’s full-term pregnant girlfriend.

“We are satisfied that the defendant has taken personal responsibility for his unimaginably horrific crimes,” said District Attorney Dan Dow.  “Life in prison without the possibility of parole is an appropriate sentence given that he took two innocent lives and assures he will not pose a danger to our community in the future.  Our prayers are with the family and friends of Carrington as we complete this stage of the criminal and victim justice process.”   

The decision in this case to seek life in prison without the possibility of parole, rather than the death penalty, was made after careful consideration of all facts related to the case and the background of the defendant.  Additionally, the District Attorney consulted with surviving family members of the victims and the involved law enforcement agencies.  The District Attorney also met with the assigned defense counsel, who provided relevant background on the defendant for consideration. 

Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2022, in Department 5 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, the Honorable Craig van Rooyen presiding.

The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Megan Baltierra and Michael Frye.

Click here to view a copy of the amended information document.  Click here to view a copy of the defendant’s photo.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805.781.5819 with any questions.

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