FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2022
Clermont County
Prosecuting Attorney, Mark J. Tekulve, announces the extradition and return of defendant Kyle Johnston, indicted for murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, felonious assault, weapons under disability, and tampering with evidence to Clermont County. (State v. Kyle Johnston, 2020 CR 001004)
Johnston and the victim, Kendra Hoskins, were in a relationship. On the evening of the offense, the defendant and victim left the victim’s apartment together with the defendant having possession of the 9mm handgun. While seated in the victim’s vehicle, the defendant and victim got into an argument and the defendant shot the victim in the abdomen using the handgun.
Bond was initially set at $125,000 c/p/re on December 4, 2020 by Judge Victor M. Haddad, citing considerations of Ohio Constitution Article I, section 9, criminal rule 46, and ORC 2937.222
On December 23, 2020, a different judge, reduced Johnston’s bond to $50,000. Both bonds did include reporting probation conditions. The defendant was able to post the reduced bond amount on February 23, 2021 through a surety bond, and was released from jail.
On March 23, 2021, another bond review was scheduled due to the defendant testing positive for methamphetamine while on reporting bond. At that time, the Court kept the cash portion of the bond the same, and ordered the defendant to enter a drug treatment program as a condition of bond.
On April 15, 2021, the court scheduled a bond review hearing because the defendant had ceased reporting as ordered. The defendant failed to appear, and a bench warrant was issued for the defendant’s arrest. Ultimately, the Prosecutor’s Office became aware that the defendant had fled to Georgia in an attempt to avoid prosecution. While in Georgia, the defendant was arrested on warrants from that State. Almost fifteen months after being indicted, the defendant was finally returned to face murder charges in Clermont County, Ohio.
Today, a bond hearing was held for Johnstone before Judge Kevin T. Miles. Due to the defendant’s failure to appear, his flight from the state, and continued drug use, bond was set at $1,000,000 cash, professional, or real estate, with a court date scheduled for pre-trial on July 6, 2022.
If convicted of all counts, the defendant faces a maximum possible prison sentence of life with the possibility of parole after forty-two (42) years.
Prosecutor Mark Tekulve, again, offers his condolences to the family of Kendra Hoskins. Tekulve further emphasized that, “While, the bail reform issues within this State have caused the family of Kendra Hoskins additional pain delaying justice in this matter, my office will endeavor to convict Johnston for the heinous acts he committed, and will seek the maximum sentence.”
