CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man charged with killing a Charlotte mother and her two young children before getting caught in California last month will remain in jail without bond due to being a "tremendous danger" to the city, a judge ruled on Monday.
(Warning: Story contains graphic details or images)
Benjamin Joseph Taylor is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Markayla Johnson and her two children, 4-year-old Miracle Johnson and 7-month-old Messiah Johnson. Taylor was booked in the Mecklenburg County jail on Friday after he was transferred into the custody of U.S. Marshals by officials in Imperial County, California.
An affidavit obtained by WCNC Charlotte on Monday revealed new details on what investigators found when searching Johnson's home. Concerned family members filed a missing persons report for Johnson on March 3, telling detectives they hadn't talked to her since January. On March 5, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers and family members went to Johnson's apartment, which she shared with Taylor, for a welfare check. No one answered the door.
Johnson was found dead in her apartment on March 15. According to the affidavit, her remains were found in a large plastic storage container. Detectives also found multiple used air fresheners and candles in the home. Multiple fans were turned on and the home's air conditioning was set to 62 degrees. Detectives said Johnson's body had cords wrapped around it.
The next day, a search of Taylor's vehicle uncovered a disturbing scene. The bodies of Johnson's children, 4-year-old Miracle Johnson and 7-month-old Messiah Johnson, were found in the trunk. Their bodies were stuffed in plastic bags, the affidavit states. The young girl's wrists were bound by cord and diapers were wrapped around her head.
Autopsies for all three victims are pending.
Taylor was arrested in Imperial County, California, on March 16, the day after Johnson's body was found and 10 days after he was allegedly spotted on surveillance video leaving North Carolina on a passenger bus.
He was transported back to North Carolina last week after being transferred into the custody of U.S. Marshals. He did not fight extradition back to North Carolina and was served with multiple warrants upon arrival at the Mecklenburg County jail.
Taylor will be given a court-appointed attorney while in jail, according to WCNC Charlotte's Richard DeVayne, who was in the court room on Monday. Prosecutors argued that Taylor is a "tremendous danger to this city," citing his lengthy criminal history. Records show that Taylor has previous arrests for kidnapping, assault and violating a protective order. Taylor has a next court date scheduled for April 26, but he could be indicted before then, so it's unclear if he will face a judge on that date.
"I miss my baby," Johnson's mother said during a news conference after her remains were found. "I miss my grandkids. She was a good person and everybody knows Markayla would do anything for you. She didn't deserve this."
If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.
WCNC Charlotte is choosing to show the mugshot of the suspect in this case due to the serious nature of his charges and high public interest.