Appleton Street Killer Sentenced to Life

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy sentenced convicted murderer Kemonta Johnson, 30, to life in prison plus 40 years for two charges of first-degree murder on April 11. He also received a concurrent 20 years for firearm use in a felony or violent crime and 10 consecutive years for firearm possession with a prior felony conviction.

Johnson was charged in connection to the Nov. 24, 2021 fatal shooting of Dontae Johnson, 30, near the 1000 block of Appleton Street. He was arrested and charged for the murder on March 11, 2023, in the 1600 block of W. North Avenue. The two are not related.

“It was a wild, wild west in broad daylight,” the prosecution said. “There were over 30 shell casings found on the scene.”

The prosecution said Johnson lacked accountability because he maintained his innocence until his sentencing.

“I’m sorry I’m not sympathetic,” he said. “I don’t know [the victim enough]to be sympathetic, and the only thing we have in common is our last name.”