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A Lexington man has been indicted on murder charges in connection with the death last March of a Rockbridge County Woman Leland David Johnson, 44, was indicted by a Rockbridge County Grand Jury last Monday, Feb. 5. He was indicted on three felony charges: one count of first degree murder, one count of second degree murder and one count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Johnson was arrested on March 22, 2023 and charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of Stormie Markland. Markland was reported missing/endangered by family members on March 20 and her remains were found along Hoppers Creek Road in Arnolds Valley on March 22. Following a preliminary hearing in Rockbridge County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in November, the charges were certified to the grand jury.
Rockbridge County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jared Moon told The News-Gazette last Thursday that the first degree murder charge will supersede the second degree murder charge, and that “it will be our intent to have the second degree murder charge dismissed and proceed on the first degree [murder charge].”
Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on March 4.
