TheTrenchcoat Chronicles

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Wilkinson told The Associated Press the investigation by the Benton County Sheriff's Office found "there was absolutely nothing to his claims, period."

Jonesboro school shooter Mitchell Johnson claims he’s being picked on by inmates and staff while in the Benton County jail.

Johnson said he’s been physically assaulted by inmates and staff, according to McElveen, and Johnson believes the abuse is because of his role in the Jonesboro school shootings.

Government lawyers did not bring up Johnson's violent past. The only clue during the two-day trial came during jury selection, when potential panelists were asked one-by-one whether Johnson's name sounded familiar.

Mitch Wright, the widower of a teacher killed March 25, 1998, watched Tuesday's court session along with his son Zane, who was 2 at the time of the shootings and is now 12. Wright said the boy "wanted to see what this person looked like."

Johnson left prison with an "adjudicated" record _ meaning he could own firearms.

"Honest to God, I'm just trying to get to Cali, man," Johnson told deputies as they searched the loaded-down, 1980s Ford van at a Fayetteville convenience store. The incident was recorded on video.

Johnson lived in North Carolina and California for a while. He even returned to Jonesboro over Christmas 2006, where Craighead County Sheriff Jack McCann had warned that deputies "couldn't guarantee" the safety of either him or Golden.

He received a silver 9 mm Lorein pistol as a present and practiced "target shooting" near the city.

Jack Schisler, assistant federal public defender, made the motion Monday in U.S. District Court. Schisler argued that Johnson was not read his Miranda rights before police began questioning him following a traffic stop. Schisler said Johnson made incriminating statements about his use of marijuana during the questioning.

Schisler contends Johnson was actually placed in custody, handcuffed and locked in the back seat of a patrol car, and questioned by police numerous times during a search of the vehicle. The exchanges were recorded by cameras in the police cars and on officers' microphones.

Police Sgt. Matt Partain confirmed that Johnson was formerly employed by the store but was ter minated months ago. He further confirmed that Johnson's girlfriend is a current Wal-Mart employee.

"Yes his girlfriend works there, but we haven't even seen him there since we've been there," he said.

Partain said Johnson is not believed to have had any involvement in a recent bomb threat at the Wal-Mart in north Fayetteville.