Death of the Reverend’s Sons; The Police Murder of the Johnson Brothers

Originally published August 20th, 2024 on DallasWeekly.comIt’s Aug. 25, 1974. Following service at their father’s church, Church of God and Christ, middle school boys George, 14, and Johnny, 13, just spent their Sunday playing basketball at Kiest Park.They’ve been playing three-on-three matches for a few hours now and just wrapped up. As darkness slowly creeps over, the last glimmers of light hit the street. The sun had just set about 15 minutes ago.On their walk back home, the six boys find several pipes in a pile of scrap. “Look,” one of them points out. Chrome plating on discarded pipes gleans in the low-light of the setting sun. He picks two up off the curb and drums them rhythmically against the rail. George joins in, then Johnny, picking up two pipes and engaging in a collective ruckus. Kid stuff. But as the current temperature is around 91 degrees, the heat is starting to get to them. They’re thirsty.Golden Triangle Shopping Center in 1973 | Image provided by WFAA and Southern Methodist UniversitySomeone suggests stopping at Golden Triangle before the boys return home to Morning Frost Trail. They cross the street to the shopping center. At the time, the area was somewhat...