LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Latest on the funeral of a Kentucky lawmaker who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after denying accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl: (all times local):
1:45 p.m.
A long column of motorcycle riders revved their bikes as they followed a hearse carrying the body of a Kentucky state lawmaker who apparently killed himself amid accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
The small church where state Rep. Dan Johnson preached was packed for the freshman legislator’s funeral Monday in Louisville. A cold, light rain fell as mourners filed out of Heart of Fire church.
The lawmaker found himself in the spotlight a week ago when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman who said Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013. A day after the report, Johnson termed the allegations “totally false” during a news conference at his church where he was the self-appointed “pope.” He died the following night.
The funeral procession included about two dozen motorcycles. The church sign said bikers were welcome.
___
12:30 p.m.
The son of a Kentucky lawmaker who apparently killed himself last week said Monday’s funeral service would be a celebration of his father’s life.
WDRB-TV showed video of Judah Johnson addressing mourners who packed the Heart of Fire church in Louisville to remember his father, Dan Johnson. Judah Johnson said of his father’s life that “it’s a lot to celebrate.”
The funeral for Dan Johnson, who apparently killed himself last week amid accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, is being held in the same church where he had preached. He held a press conference at the church Tuesday to deny the allegations.
State Rep. Wesley Morgan said the church was so full he couldn’t get in to attend the funeral. Morgan said he and Johnson shared an office at the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort and that Johnson was a “pretty good guy.”
___
11:15 a.m.
Mourners have gathered for the funeral of a Kentucky lawmaker who apparently killed himself amid accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Dan Johnson’s body was found last week with a gunshot wound to the head, a day after he denied the accusations.
The mourners on Monday included bikers who drove their motorcycles up the long driveway to Heart of Fire church in Louisville, where Johnson was pastor. A large grass lot in front of the stone church was filling up before the service began. A large U.S. flag and a smaller “Don’t Tread On Me” flag fluttered nearby.
The first-term lawmaker found himself in the spotlight a week ago when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman who said Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.
___
9:15 a.m.
A Kentucky lawmaker who apparently killed himself amid accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl is being remembered in the same church where he had preached and denied the allegations.
Dan Johnson’s family and friends are gathering Monday at Heart of Fire church in Louisville, Kentucky. The 57-year-old Johnson’s body was found last week along a secluded road with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The first-term lawmaker found himself in the spotlight a week ago when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman who said Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.
A day after the report, Johnson termed the allegations “totally false” during a news conference at his church where he was the self-appointed “pope.”
Johnson died the following night.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.