Cedar Rapids man faces 50 years for killing pregnant girlfriend, unborn child

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man avoided a possible life sentence Thursday by pleading guilty to lesser charges for killing his pregnant girlfriend and causing the death of her unborn child nearly two years ago.

Johnnie Osborne, 28, originally charged with first-degree murder, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted murder and termination of pregnancy during a felony.

His trial was set to start next Tuesday.

He now faces up to 50 years in prison for second-degree murder, 25 for attempted murder and 10 years for termination of pregnancy.

Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said as part of the plea agreement the sentences would run concurrently for a total of 50 years in prison.

During the plea hearing, Osborne admitted to fatally shooting girlfriend Asia T. Grice, 25, who was in her second trimester of pregnancy on May 1, 2020.

She died of a gunshot wound to her head, and her unborn child didn’t survive, according to a criminal complaint. Grice’s friend, Keonna Smith, who was in the apartment at the time, also was shot and seriously injured.

Osborne also admitted to causing the death of Grice’s unborn child and attempting to kill Smith by shooting her.

Some of Grice’s family members, who attended the hearing, became emotional during Osborne’s plea.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Jason Besler ordered Osborne to pay $150,000 in restitution to Grice’s estate or heirs as required by Iowa law.

Also, as part of the plea agreement, Osborne’s brother, Jahvonte Osborne, 21, charged with perjury in connection with his brother’s case, will have his case dismissed after his brother is sentenced, Maybanks said during the hearing.

Jahvonte Osborne was accused of lying during a deposition Sept. 3 of last year. He made false statements about his own and his brother’s whereabouts before and when Grice was killed, according to criminal complaint.

Fatal shooting

Cedar Rapids police were called to an apartment at 1610 30th St. NW at 4:39 a.m. May 1, 2020, on a report of shots being fired. Officers found Grice’s body and Smith seriously wounded inside the apartment.

Smith said Grice and Osborne had been temporarily staying with her for about a month, according to court documents.

Smith said she was in bed when she heard a loud bang in the living room. Osborne opened her bedroom door and shot at her multiple times with a silver revolver, according to the court documents.

Osborne left the apartment, and Smith tried to call for help but couldn't operate a phone due to her injuries, according to the affidavit. Her 4-year-old was also in the apartment at the time. She got help from others and somebody reported the shooting.

Smith told police she had seen the revolver hidden in her couch before the shooting and believed it belonged to Grice or Osborne, the affidavit stated.

A woman who spoke to police said she learned of the shooting and went to the Rodeway Inn, 4011 16th Ave. SW, where she had rented a room for Jahvonte Osborne, the affidavit stated. She went to his room, found Johnnie Osborne was inside, and notified police.

Police found the brothers at the motel and brought them in for questioning, according to the affidavit.

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