Woman Convicted of First Degree Premeditated Murder In Death of 70-Year-Old Doris Johnston
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff // April 13, 2017
Jennifer Trent sentenced to LIFE in prison
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Jennifer Rose Trent, 36, of Barefoot Bay, was convicted on Wednesday by a jury of her peers for First Degree Premeditated Murder in the death of 70-year-old Doris Johnston of 736 Gladiolus Drive, Barefoot Bay.
After the conviction, Trent was sentenced to LIFE in the Florida Department of Corrections.
The investigation into the death of Ms. Johnston commenced on January 22, 2015, after family members from out of state became concerned when they were unable to make contact with Ms. Johnston.
Deputies responded to the call for assistance and discovered Ms. Johnston deceased, and concealed in a shed behind at the residence.
According to the Brevard County Medical Examiner, Johnston suffered head trauma that would have rendered her incoherent, after which she was placed in the shed, where she survived for several days before being suffocated by the suspect.
Investigators believe that the motive for the homicide was a scheme devised by the suspect to gain access to the victim’s money and residence. It was learned that Trent had made unauthorized purchases on the victim’s credit cards totaling approximately $15,000.
At the time the victim was discovered deceased, Trent was in possession of the victim’s credit cards and had created forged letters, giving her access to the victim’s financial accounts and residence.
I am very proud of the outstanding efforts of our Homicide Agents, Crime Scene Investigators, Crime Analysts and Forensic Computer Crime Agents who worked around the clock to bring closure to this horrible crime and hopefully peace to the victim’s family.
I would additionally like to recognize the incredible efforts of our South Precinct Deputies who responded to the initial concerns expressed by the victim’s family. Specifically, Deputy Randy Truitt refused to accept the fabricated story the suspect presented, and through his diligence this case had a positive ending.
Without his efforts, much of the evidence that was collected may have been destroyed by the suspect. Our Agency relies on teamwork to accomplish our mission, and I am very proud to be part of this team!
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney’s Sue Garrett and Sam Barrett.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
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