Perverted Justice:Convicted Sex Offender, Child Rapist Declared Incompetent To Stand Trial

A convicted child rapist facing 21 new counts of sex assault charges was set free in Utah Thursday after being declared incompetent to stand trial.



Doctors say Lonnie Johnson, 38, can not participate in his own defense, does not understand the charges against him and is not a danger to society.


Already a registered sex offender stemming from a child rape conviction in Washington State, Johnson is accused of sexually abusing his stepdaughter and her cousin from 2001 to 2006. He was charged in 2008 with rape, sodomy and aggravated sexual assault of a child.


Utah Judge James Taylor approved Johnson's release Thursday, saying he had no choice because of a loophole in state law.


"The constitution prohibits me from holding someone who has not been convicted and who cannot participate in their own defense," the judge said. "We are at the end of the road. I can't do anything but have him be released from the state hospital."


Utah Gov. Gary Herbert urged the legislature to change the law.


"I am outraged that a convicted child sex offender, currently facing another round of accusations, could be released without being tried for current charges," the Republican said in a statement. "That is not justice."