Relative Supports Beating Suspect

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Relative Supports Beating Suspect

By Denise Jackson

Story Published: Apr 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2008 at 5:20 PM CDT

The grandmother of the Washington man accused of abusing his girlfriend's son is speaking out in support of him.

Geri Shurts says Timothy Johnston provided love and financial support for the 3-year-old boy. Authorities say Johnston seriously injured the child with a kick to the groin and slapped the toddler in the face March 28, at his girlfriend's home.

Shurts admits Johnston has an anger problem because of an incident in prison a few years ago.

"He respects life. I cannot believe that the kick was intentional or the fall was intentional. I do believe he slapped him and that was wrong, but it's not something that he should possibly go to prison for 6-30 years," said Shurts.

She says she often saw Johnston and his girlfriend Amber Dickey along with her children. Shurts says Johnston never showed violent behavior towards the kids.

"He is very loving, he is very soft hearted. He has know this child for a year. He's basically been a big part of their financial support. The child was non-verbal before Tim entered his life."

Johnston is in Tazewell County jail on $100,000 bond on charges of felony battery of a child. He's due back in court April 24.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 5:31 PM caring mother wrote ...

I believe that "grandpa" was being sarcastic. I feel for these children.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 3:58 PM mk wrote ...

where was the "mom" when her little boy was being beaten (I refuse to use her name and give her an identity - she doesn't deserve it)was she out partying - she's just as guilty - to Grandpa: that is quite possibly the most ignorant response I have seen posted to an article in a long time - it speaks volumes about your family's disfunction - at one point you say the child would have called him a monster but yet you defend him - all I can say is WOW!!! I had to read it several times to believe it

Thursday, Apr 10 at 3:16 PM Grandmother wrote ...

Tim did have a job but he is in construction and was laid off for the winter. He worked another job at another construction company until just about a month ago. He then collected unemployment and every penny he made went the the Dickey family. He went to prison because of drugs. I never said the prison sentence was not his fault. It is so sad that the world is so full of judgemental and hate filled people that they cannot or will not believe in innocent until proven guilty.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:43 PM duh... wrote ...

I think Grandpa was being sarcastic....that is what i took from it anyway...

Thursday, Apr 10 at 12:27 PM A Mom wrote ...

I cannot believe the Grandmother - WAKE UP!! You should be ashamed of yourself! How could the girlfriend not see it - no job??? Why would she leave her kids alone with her boyfriend who had been in PRISON. She is just as responsible. This guys is a pathetic form of a human being & I hope he goes back to prison. Wait til' someone bigger than him picks on him. It is so sad and I can't believe a mother would put her children in that situation. Wake Up, Grow Up and Take care of your Kids!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 11:51 AM Anonymous wrote ...

What he did was absolutely inexcusable and he should be punished for it. I knew Tim when he was a boy and he WAS as sweet, caring child. We all know people who have made bad choices in their life and a paying the price. Hopefully he will take control of his life and get the help he needs while he’s in jail.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 10:43 AM Concerned Aunt wrote ...

My niece is the other child in this house. She has told us that she is afraid of this man and never wants to be left alone with him for fear of her safety. But this guy was loving right. And he lost his job shortly after hooking up with Amber so how did he help? And seriously grandpa he was defending himself from a 3 year old? Was he in fear for his life? Just wait til he gets thrown in prison and the other inmates find out what he did, then he will know what it's like to fear for his life!

Thursday, Apr 10 at 10:33 AM OMG wrote ...

Are you kidding me! Tim deserves the max sentence on this. What is going to happen next time the kid 'falls down the stairs' Amber is lucky that he is still alive! And the grandma defending him is just as bad as Amber defending him. Would Grandma change her tune if it were her grandkid he did this to? Why would anyone stand up for such a monster. The kid was 3 and they are challenging and demanding but to beat them this badly I mean come on. Step away and calm down before dealing with the child.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 8:51 AM melissa wrote ...

You have got to be kidding me! He was "not going to let this 3 year ol get the best of him", that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. If he was any kind of man he would have found someone his own size to fight. This is showing us how he was brought up. When he was in prison before, it wasn't his fault, how many times have we heard that. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. I can't believe that there are people out there defending his actions.

Thursday, Apr 10 at 4:32 AM V wrote ...

I find it hard to believe that the Grandmother is trying to justify his actions. WHY?? Bottom line, NO child deserves to be hit,slapped or kicked out of anger or frustration. Anger problems or not, He had a choice to walk away before striking and he did not....this is NO excuse for what he did and he deserves whatever the jury decides.He knew exactly what he was doing when he did it.This is National child Abuse Prevention month,Let's stand together to protect the children not the abusers.

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:31 PM MamaT wrote ...

How can ANYONE justify hurting a child? Does his financial support of the child and family give him the right to hurl abuse in any way he chooses. EVERY adult knows right and wrong and what he did was extremely wrong!! He deserves whatever he gets.

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 9:11 PM anonymous wrote ...

I know this Tim and Amber. How could he be a financial support of the family when he had no job? He looked me in the eye and said he had anger issues. I called DCFS and they would do nothing til he hit one of the kids. He has trashed their house and I know he has hit Amber also.How can you love someone who hurts you? He has showed no support just abuse. He respects no one!

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 7:54 PM C wrote ...

You know, it doesn't matter what he was...this is him now and it isn't good. Besides, he couldn't have been too outstanding if he was in prison. He, obviously, had issues prior to it. How could anyone come to the defense of someone who hurt a BABY (toddler) so bad? Family or not, I sure wouldn't/couldn't.

Wednesday, Apr 9 at 6:13 PM Grandpa wrote ...

Tim provided so much financial support for that family he should get to slap the mother around too. The child was non verbal because he wasn't old enough to talk and say help get me away from this monster.Tim was only in prison before because of something that wasn't his fault either. I saw him get sucker punched by 5 yr old once so he was no way gonna let this 3 yr old get the best of him. He was just defending himself.

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