Defendant Joseph Johnson today appeared in Division 5 of the Circuit Court and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His case was certified to Circuit Court, Division 3, for appearance on September 8, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. The Prosecuting Attorney agreed to dismiss the charge of Murder in the First Degree and to offer the defendant the opportunity to plead, without sentencing recommendation, to two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, and agree to not file additional charges while the offer is outstanding, according to statements made to the Court by the attorney representing Mr. Johnson.