A man previously charged with murder for the killing of a woman in Portland is 2022 has been released from prison.
According to the Portland Press Herald, 47-year-old Frederick Johnson entered an Alford plea Monday to an aggravated assault charge related to the death of 23-year-old Bethany Kelley.
Kelley was found dead near the Whole Foods on Nov. 18, 2022.
An Alford plea means Johnson maintains his innocence but acknowledges that prosecutors could convince the jury he’s guilty of assault.
Prosecutors say they still believe Johnson strangled Kelley, but dropped a murder charge after blood testing showed drugs in her system which could have contributed to her death.
Johnson was sentenced to less than two years behind bars, which he’s already served.
