Woman from Pittsburgh's Hill District sentenced for role in man's beating death

A woman from Pittsburgh’s Hill District will serve at least 12-1/2 years in state prison for her role in the beating death of a man in Homewood last year.

Madera Johnson, 49, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski on Sept. 27. A plea agreement in the case called for her to be sentenced to prison for 12-1/2 to 30 years.

She and her cousin, Marlon Johnson, admitted to attacking Roger Brown, 63, on June 19, 2020, in the 7200 block of Frankstown Avenue.

A criminal complaint filed in the case said a witness told detectives that Madera Johnson had robbed Brown a week before, stealing $20. The day of the assault, Brown called her a name on the street, prompting her to call over Marlon Johnson, the complaint said.

The cousins attacked Brown, knocking him to the ground and kicking and punching him, the complaint said. Brown suffered three skull fractures and bleeding in his brain. He died two days later.

Last week, Marlon Johnson, who also previously pleaded guilty, was ordered to serve 14 to 30 years in state prison. Sasinoski permitted Marlon Johnson’s plea to be treated as a plea of guilty but mentally ill, which will ensure his placement in the state Department of Corrections at a facility that is capable of treating mental illness.

Marlon Johnson, 33, has previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has been hospitalized at least twice. His attorney said that Marlon Johnson had sought mental health treatment the day before the attack at Resolve Crisis Center in Wilkinsburg for homicidal and suicidal tendencies. Despite findings of poor impulse control, poor judgment and poor insight, he was permitted to leave the facility.