Zacharia Johnson Found Guilty Of Attempted First Degree Murder

The verdict is in for a Casper man charged with trying to kill another man, that he believed to be a child molester.

A jury has found 27-year old Zacharia Johnson guilty of attempted first degree murder, aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, and aggravated assault and battery.

Prosecutors say in March 2013, Johnson along with his accomplice 31-year old Robert Simmons, entered the apartment of 61-year old Robert Masterson and stabbed him multiple times.

A medical examiner testified that the injuries that Masterson sustained to his chest and throat were life-threatening.

During his trial, a former cell-mate of Johnson testified that between the time of the crime and the trial, Johnson would brag about what he did, saying that he was trying to kill Masterson.

The cell-mate said Johnson told him, that he believed Masterson was a child molester, and that killing him might get him into good standing with Hell's Angels.

However, there is nothing on Masterson's record that proves those accusations.

Masterson's neighbor testified that during the night of the stabbing, Johnson and Simmons, first visited her place, then all three went to Masterson's apartment under the impression that a drug deal was going on, but that was not the case.

She knocked on Masterson's door, while Johnson and Simmons stood next to her.

When Masterson looked through his peep-hole, he only saw his neighbor and invited her in.

It was then that Johnson and Simmons forced their way past her, entered Masterson's apartment and attacked.

Simmons pleaded guilty to charges in connection to the crime and has already been sentenced.

Johnson's defense argued to the jury that police never found the weapon that was used and that there were issues regarding how Johnson was identified as the attacker.

Johnson is now being held without bond, and could receive life in prison, when he is sentenced at a later date.