Teen pleads not guilty in Gordonsville woman’s killing

Gary Christopher Johnson pleaded not guilty this morning to drug and firearms charges in connection with the death of Gordonsville resident Katherine Danielle Howard.
Johnson, 18, was arraigned in Charlottesville’s federal court.
Johnson was indicted March 13 on counts of using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime that resulted in Howard’s death, possession of a stolen firearm, conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Howard, 22, was shot and killed Feb. 22, 2006, on Cadmus Avenue in Gordonsville. According to U.S. Attorney John Brownlee, Howard was trying to get Johnson and another man to pull over because they were driving her van without permission. Authorities allege that once both cars pulled over, Johnson leaned out of the van and shot Howard.
Look for additional details in Wednesday’s Daily Progress.