Court orders new trials for Pittsburgh cop who allegedly fell in love with drug-addicted prostitute

Aug. 28--A former Pittsburgh police officer convicted of oppression, drugs, and attempted insurance fraud charges will receive two new trials, the Pennsylvania Superior Court ordered Friday.

The appellate court ruled that Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Beth A. Lazzara was wrong to allow a jury to hear all 17 counts against Michael C. Johns, 47, at one trial.

Instead, Johns should have been tried separately on some of the charges, the court said.

A jury in May 2013 found Johns, a 16-year veteran, guilty of eight counts, including official oppression, making false statements to law enforcement, obstructing the administration of justice, attempting to commit insurance fraud and three drug charges. The jury acquitted him of promoting prostitution, theft and criminal use of a communications facility.

Lazzara sentenced Johns to three to six years in prison and seven years of probation.

In its 27-page opinion released Friday, the Superior Court said Lazzara erred in denying a motion by Johns' lawyer to try him separately on the official oppression charges related to a 2008 arrest and the drug- and prostitution-related charges.

The court also ruled that the jury had insufficient evidence to convict him of official oppression and ruled that he cannot be retried on that count.

Police said Johns, who resigned soon after he was charged in 2011, fell in love with a drug-addicted prostitute who used his debit card to post advertisements for her services. Police said Johns knew about the prostitute's business and would often drive her from job to job.

While investigating Johns' apartment, police found drugs and the identification of a man named William Jackson.

At trial, Jackson testified that Johns took his ID during an arrest for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness and never returned it.

Johns testified on his own behalf that he meant to return Jackson's ID, but did not. He also denied having any involvement in the prostitute's business. He said that after discovering that she used his card, he canceled the account.

Johns could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

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