Paso Robles man pleads guilty to stabbing death of girlfriend, unborn baby in 2019
PASO ROBLES, Calif. - A Paso Robles man pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday to two counts of murder after the stabbing death of his girlfriend and full-term, unborn baby in 2019.
34-year-old Daniel Raul Rodriguez Johnson confessed to the first-degree murder of Carrington Jane Broussard and the second-degree murder of her unborn baby at their rural home in Paso Robles.
These charges come after a high-speed vehicle pursuit took place through San Luis Obispo County on March 3, 2019.
During the chase, Johnson reportedly stole a CHP vehicle and fled from Highway 46 near Templeton to an area north of San Simeon on Highway 101.
After he was stopped by officers, SLO County Sheriff's deputies decided to conduct a welfare check at his known residence near Heritage Ranch in Paso Robles.
There, they found Johnson's girlfriend, 27-year-old Carrington J. Broussard, stabbed to death while nine months pregnant with what would have been their third child together.
Broussard was reportedly scheduled to have a C-section the very next day.
“We are satisfied that the defendant has taken personal responsibility for his unimaginably horrific crimes,” said SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow. “Life in prison without the possibility of parole is an appropriate sentence given that he took two innocent lives and assures he will not pose a danger to our community in the future. Our prayers are with the family and friends of Carrington as we complete this stage of the criminal and victim justice process.”
According to the DA's Office, the decision in this case to seek life in prison without the possibility of parole, rather than the death penalty, was made after careful consideration of all facts related to the case and the background of the defendant.
Additionally, Dan Dow said he consulted with surviving family members of the victims and the involved law enforcement agencies. He also met with the assigned defense counsel, who provided relevant background on the defendant for consideration.
Johnson's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2022, in Department 5 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court with the Honorable Craig van Rooyen presiding.
This case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.
