KAUFMAN COUNTY–District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley announced Aug. 4, the conviction of Margaret Ann Johnston, 80, for murder, a first degree felony offense. Johnston was charged with the murder of her daughter, Connie Lynn Helms, Sept. 14, 2021 at her home in Kaufman. 
Dispatch received a 911 call shortly after 4:30 p.m. from the victim’s sister reporting that she had been on the telephone with Helms’ and had heard what she believed to be the fatal gunshot. A grand jury indicted Johnston with murder Nov. 19, 2021.
A two-day jury trial commenced Aug. 1, where Johnston faced a sentence of five to 99 years or life in the Texas Department Criminal Justice Division (TDCJ) for Murder. After evidence and witnesses’ testimony, the jury deliberated and found Johnston guilty of the offense of murder.
Johnston waived her right for the jury to assess punishment and elected to go to the judge. The Honorable Judge Casey Blair heard punishment evidence Aug. 3, 2022 and sentenced Johnston to life in TDCJ.
The prosecution was led by Assistant Criminal District Attorney Leslie Odom and Felony Criminal Trial Chief Marc Moffitt and was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Walter Hughey and Trial Paralegal Reyna Cabrera. 
The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department and other local agencies are recognized for assistance with the prosecution of this case.