Johnson Pleads Not Guilty In Death Of Toddler

During a hearing that lasted less than two minutes, Marcus Johnson, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the death of 3-year-old Hunter Wise.

Johnson is charged with first-degree intentional homicide for dipping the little boy in water so hot the skin of his buttocks was scalded off. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner determined Wise died from the shock of the trauma.

Police and rescue were called May 10 to a home in the Lake Park neighborhood in Mount Pleasant for reports of a unresponsive child. At Johnson's May 29 preliminary hearing, Mount Pleasant detective Dan Schauer testified that Wise died on the way to the hospital.

A 5-year-old girl who was present in the home the day of the incident is Johnson's daughter with Rebekah Andrews, 24. Andrews told reporters outside the courtroom that she is following the case because she just wants to know the truth. She said Johnson never exhibited any signs that he was capable of the charge against him.

"I would never imagine he would do something like that to somebody he considers his own child," she said. "I mean, he has two other children and he loved his kids. He loves my daughter and was a very caring dad." 

Matthew Brommer, 26, and Kate Brouillette, 33, are friends of both Johnson and Wise's mother, Samantha, and have known them for years. Brommer was blunt about his feelings.

"He should serve the rest of his life in prison or die," he said. "My gut is telling me did it, and I'm his best friend. It's just how everything adds up, and he's my best friend."

As for how Samantha is doing, Brommer said she does not yet have custody of her 8-month-old son - whom she had with Johnson - but she is able to visit with him, "so that's better for her."

Johnson's next court date is July 12.