Man involved in 2009 shooting death remains on run

Alajuwon Johnson remains on the run after he escaped from the Hope House in Coralville last week.

Johnson was recently transferred to the work release program after spending 13 months in jail for his role in the shooting death of Kylie Jo Perkins of Iowa City.

In May 2010, Johnson was sentenced to serve five years in jail for involuntary manslaughter.  The sentence came as part of a plea deal.  According to online archives, charges of carrying weapons, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver were dropped as part of the agreement.

Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness, the prosecutor in the case, said she was surprised that the parole board allowed Johnson to enter a work release program after serving only 13 months of a five year sentence.

From Gazette, May 11, 2010:

"Police said Johnson was visiting Kylie Jo Perkins at her apartment at 1527 Aber Ave. on December 30, (2009) when the two fought for possession of a gun Johnson was carrying illegally. Perkins was shot in the chest, police said.

"Investigators said Johnson admitted he did not contact emergency officials right away, despite Perkins pleading for help, because he had warrants out for his arrest on misdemeanor charges.  Johnson eventually asked a friend to call for help and left with his handgun.  The caller told police that a robbery had happened at another address, 1227 Aber Ave., which delayed emergency responders."