Man accused of raping, impregnating 12-year-old to represent himself at trial

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jury selection to begin Monday in a high-profile rape case involving a then-12-year-old girl.

Walter Johnson is charged with three counts of sexual battery. He's accused of impregnating the 12-year-old.

Johnson was arrested on New Year’s Eve of 2015. He was charged days later with three counts of sexual battery against a 12-year-old victim. His attorney filed an insanity defense, meanwhile the court found the defendant is competent to stand trial.

Johnson entered a not guilty plea to all counts in 2016. He argued in August that the court-appointed lawyer wasn’t effective and asked to represent himself. A judge ruled that Johnson was allowed to be his own attorney.

Johnson is accused of having sex with the girl 8 months prior to him being arrested. The family said they've known Johnson for over 40 years, and he even lived with them in their house.

The girl's grandmother used to date Johnson, and they were still close up to the day of his arrest.

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Cox Media Group