Watch CBS News

Man Gets Prison In Girlfriend's Bludgeoning Death

Warren Johncarlos Johnson
Johncarlos Johnson was arrested in connection with the murder of Shalisa O'Dell in Warren.

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to at least two decades in prison in the bludgeoning death of his 25-year-old girlfriend in her metro Detroit home.

Johncarlos Johnson was earlier this week in Macomb County Circuit Court to 22 years to 40 years. He pleaded no contest in April to second-degree murder in the December death of Shalisa O'Dell in Warren.

Johnson, who had a 2-year-old son with O'Dell, asked her family for forgiveness at the hearing. O'Dell's father, John, said the apology wasn't sincere and considered it a "merciless killing."

"There may be forgiveness but I'll never forget," he said. "You know, it is godly to forgive. It's hell to forget."

O'Dell was found dead Dec. 9, 2013 inside a home she was renting on Garrick Street, near 9 Mile and Dequindre roads. A family member, who had been caring for O'Dell's child, made the gruesome discovery after growing concerned that she hadn't heard from O'Dell.

Police said O'Dell suffered several skull fractures. They recovered a weapon but didn't identify it. Johnson was arrested a week later.

A no contest plea isn't an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.