Mystery as high-flying Texas judge vanishes from courtroom for weeks after presiding over state’s biggest trials – as rumors swirl over her ‘manic’ behavior

A prominent Texas judge has gone missing from court after presiding over some of the state’s largest trials, raising concerns for her well-being, according to reports.

Judge Kelli Johnson has been away from the 178th District Court since May 1 KTRK.

Johnson oversaw several major trials in the state and convicted a man of capital murder for the 2020 beating of an 8-year-old boy in April.

Her absence has led to speculation about her mental health, with a courthouse employee telling the local news station that she was exhibiting “manic behavior.”

“She is a danger to herself and to the community,” the employee said.

In April, after 20 minutes of deliberation, Johnson convicted 34-year-old Brian Coulter of capital murder for beating his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, to death in 2020.

A Houston police report obtained by KTRK showed Johnson was involved in an incident near her home on May 4.

An officer noted a “disturbance/CIT,” a police acronym for crisis intervention, on the report.

Visiting judges have addressed Johnson’s role, including retired Judge Jim Wallace who is presiding over a trial in her place.

Amanda Cain, communications director for the Administrative Office of the District Courts, said, “Judge Johnson is after personal business.”

Johnson is one of Harris County’s longest-serving current judges. She was first elected in 2016 and voted for a second term in 2020.

She is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County and has two sons, a 12-year-old and a 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett, according to her biography.

Johnson (center) is one of Harris County’s longest-serving current judges. She was first elected in 2016 and voted for a second term in 2020

Johnson (right) is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County and has two sons, a 12-year-old and a 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett (left)

Visiting judges have addressed Johnson’s role, including retired Judge Jim Wallace (pictured) who is presiding over a trial in her place

Johnson previously served as an assistant district attorney for 17 years and received her law degree from South Texas College of Law.

As a judge, she serves as an administrative judge on the Criminal Board and is a member of the Board of Texas Association of Specialty Courts of the State of Texas.

Her last Facebook post on her official account was on April 19, in which she invited voters to attend a fundraiser for Democratic criminal justice candidates.

In April, after 20 minutes of jury deliberation, 34-year-old Brian Coulter was found guilty of murder for beating his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, to death in 2020, leading Johnson to life convict. jail.

“This is probably one of the most horrific events I have ever had to witness, listen to and imagine,” Johnson said during her sentencing.

“Sir, those kids have been following me around for the past week. I hope, sir, that when you’re in jail, those same boys who haunted my mind will haunt yours, too.”

Coulter will serve a life sentence for beating the child to death on November 20, 2020, at the couple’s apartment in Houston’s CityParc II complex.

Coulter (pictured) will serve a life sentence for beating the child to death at the couple’s apartment in Houston’s CityParc II complex on November 20, 2020.

Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player, AJ Armstrong (pictured), who was convicted in 2016 as a 16-year-old of murdering his parents.

Prosecutors said that after beating the boy to death, Coulter and his girlfriend, Gloria Williams, left the apartment, leaving her other three sons alone with Lee’s remains.

Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player who was convicted in 2016 as a 16-year-old of murdering his parents.

After two mistrials, Antonio Armstrong Jr. – AJ – found guilty of murdering his parents, Dawn and Antonio Sr. in August.

Antonio Sr. was a former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.

In 2016, Dawn and Antonio Sr. each shot in the head, with pillows over their faces, as they slept in their Texas home.