An Elgin man has been convicted of brutally murdering his new neighbor, 33-year-old Lisa Koziol-Ellis, when she discovered him burglarizing her townhouse early in 2013.

Paul A. Johnson, 36, last address of the 1-99 block of Garden Crescent Court, Elgin, was convicted today by a Kane County jury of first-degree murder.

The jurors deliberated for about 2½ hours before they reached their verdict.

During the seven-day trial prosecutors presented evidence that between 11:30 p.m. March 1, 2013, and 1 a.m. March 2, 2013, Johnson broke into Koziol-Ellis’ townhouse in the 1-99 block of Garden Crescent Court, Elgin. He believed no one was home. Johnson encountered Ms. Koziol-Ellis and stabbed her 55 times in the head, neck, torso and arms. Thirteen of the wounds were defensive and were consistent with being stabbed by a knife and an object such as a screwdriver.
Ms. Koziol-Ellis’ dead body was found by her husband when he returned home from work at 2:30 a.m. March 2, 2013.

Elgin police conducted an exhaustive investigation until Johnson was charged with her murder on March 17, 2013.

Johnson at the time of the murder was on parole for a 2010 conviction for residential burglary. Also, Johnson was convicted twice in 2001 of armed robbery.

In addition to finding Johnson guilty, the jury found that Johnson’s offense was accompanied by exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty. That finding makes Johnson eligible for a sentence of 100 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles set Johnson’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. August 10, 2015, for motions and sentencing. Johnson faces a sentence of between 20 and 100 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Johnson remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $5 million bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

“At the time of Lisa’s murder, we promised her husband, Dash, as well as her family, friends and the Elgin community, that we would do everything in our power to ensure justice for Lisa and for them. I hope this verdict gives them all a sense of peace and justice as they move forward,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

“This was a brutal murder that had the residents of Elgin on edge for two weeks until Mr. Johnson, a violent career criminal, was charged. Thanks to the members of the jury for their service to the community, and to Elgin Chief of Police Jeff Swoboda and his team for their tremendous work. Assistant state’s attorneys Bill Engerman, Sal LoPiccolo and Bridget Sabbia took their investigation and presented a powerful and compelling prosecution to the jury. Elgin is safer with Mr. Johnson convicted of murder and behind bars.”

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney press release

Paul A. Johnson
CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release