Victor Johnson, a man who terrorized women along the Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 87 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of violent crimes. The incidents occurred over two days last June, as Johnson attacked multiple women with a steak knife, leaving them injured.
Johnson was charged with 22 counts related to his attacks on female walking or resting individuals on the Cultural Trail. According to police, he accosted these women with unwanted advances-including requests for hugs and propositions of intimacy. When these were rebuffed, he countered with violent stabbing attacks.
One of her victims remembers Johnson approaching her on a blanket at Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, where he asked to go and spend some time with her – killing her many times before the police received the calls. Another victim can remember Johnson asking to “spend 15 minutes” with her before his attack.
An attempt was made to intervene during one of the attacks, in which bystanders chased Johnson and held him until police arrived. Following his arrest, Johnson pleaded guilty to 11 of the 22 counts charged against him: including attempted murder, attempted rape, criminal confinement, and battery with a deadly weapon.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears described what happened in the case: “The acts of the survivors allowed us to bring justice to the defendant for his heinous crimes and keep our community safe.”
The case has brought up some issues regarding public safety along downtown Indianapolis, especially along the Cultural Trail.
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