Judge Denies Bond for Isabelle Johnson, Upgrades Charge to First-Degree Murder
A Walton County judge has denied bond for Isabelle Johnson and prosecutors have upgraded her charge to first-degree premeditated murder in the killing of Jason Coulthart, whose remains were found buried under concrete at a Freeport property.
Judge J. Ryan Love issued his ruling after taking nearly 24 hours to deliberate following Johnson’s bond hearing at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. The decision means Johnson, 38, will remain in custody without bond as the case proceeds through the judicial system. Johnson had been held without bond since her initial appearance on August 15, one day after being extradited from Jackson County following her capture in Cottondale by the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
The charge upgrade marks a significant escalation in the case. Johnson had been wanted on an open count of murder since June, when investigators discovered human remains buried at 130 Sunset Lane in Freeport. The remains were identified as 43-year-old Jason Christopher Coulthart, a Niceville resident reported missing May 24. The open count of murder allowed prosecutors to determine the specific degree of the charge after gathering evidence, and the state has now formally charged Johnson with first-degree premeditated murder — a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence in Florida upon conviction.
The bond hearing testimony, which the judge reviewed before issuing his ruling, included chilling details from investigators. Walton County Investigator Mindy Shelton testified that Coulthart’s remains were found with a zip tie tightly secured around his neck and both legs detached from his body. A digital forensics investigator read Coulthart’s final text to Johnson — a single word, “here” — sent after he had asked to come nap with her.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Russell Ramey, had argued for bond, saying “there has been nothing shown in this case that she poses a substantial danger to the community.” The judge ultimately rejected that argument, finding sufficient evidence to deny bond entirely.
The case has drawn significant attention across the Florida Panhandle, with five people already charged with accessory after the fact for helping Johnson evade law enforcement during the 45 days she was on the run. Johnson is scheduled to return to court on November 19 for her pretrial hearing.
Originally reported by MyPanhandle (WMBB) and WJHG.
Image: WJHG.
