A Hamilton County judge Thursday set a trial date for two people charged with felony murder and especially aggravated battery in the November 2014 slaying of a Chattanooga pastor.
Steven Kelley, 23, and Jordan Craig, 27, will appear before Criminal Court Judge Tom Greenholtz on May 3.
Police found Kenneth Johnson, an ex-con, veteran and associate minister at Mount Canaan Baptist Church, beaten to death in a ditch off Blackford Street on Nov. 13. After searching his ransacked car, investigators traced text messages on his cellphone to Craig and her boyfriend, Kelley, who were later arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Craig told police she met Johnson to buy illegal drugs, dropping Kelley off in a nearby hiding spot in case the deal went sour, according to her affidavit. When Johnson asked her for sexual favors, she said Kelley came to her defense and attacked the pastor, according to court records.
Jordan Craig and Steven KelleyKelley told investigators a different story: He said he stowed away in Craig’s back seat as she drove to an alley to meet Johnson and got out of the car after the pastor propositioned her. When the pastor started beating him with a crowbar, he fought back, records said.