The dual trial continues August 3 for a Colesville man accused of shooting and wounding a New York State Trooper in June of 2021 and the man’s father, who is accused of aiding his son and trying to hide evidence.

Jury selection began August 2 in the Attempted Murder trial of 34-year-old Jason Johnson while his dad, 64-year-old David Johnson is charged with evidence tampering.

Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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New York State Police responded to East Windsor Road near Thorn Hill Road at around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2021 with a request to check the welfare of a suspicious man who was said to be drawing in the middle of the road.  When Troopers and Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies encountered the man, the suspect opened fire with at least one round striking Trooper Becky Seager in the hip.  Another Trooper was wounded in the arm by shrapnel.

Authorities launched a massive manhunt for Jason Johnson, which lasted over 20 hours and involved law enforcement officers from several agencies as well as state forest and environmental police.  Tips from residents assisted the authorities as a State Police Aviation Unit was deployed and the air and ground search found the Colesville man along the banks of the Susquehanna River off Route 79 in Colesville at around 4:40 p.m. on June 10.

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Meanwhile, Johnson’s father, 64-year-old David Johnson was arrested almost a month later and charged with evidence tampering.  The elder Johnson pleaded not guilty September 9, 2021 in Broome County Court.

Authorities had accused the father of assisting his son by rearranging clothing and hiding evidence, possibly including shell casings in a cabin in the days following the shooting.

The dual trial of the two men is anticipated to last several days with law enforcement officers expected to take the stand. Prosecutors have not revealed if they plan to call on Trooper Seager to testify.

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