The Nashville District Attorney’s office was able to bring a measure of Justice and Closure to the family of Trashai’ Siske last week. The 28-year-old Nashville mother of two was killed in her apartment more than two years ago by her boyfriend, Ricky Johnson.
Nashville DA Criminal Court Division VI prosecutors Luis Casas and Amy Hunter, Victim Witness Coordinators Brittany Johnson and Nikanna Bell, Media Analyst Alex Pendon, and Investigator Steve Turner presented the case in Criminal Court, Division VI. After several days of testimony and proof, the jury returned with Guilty Verdicts on charges of First Degree Premeditated Murder and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The state showed that Johnson arrived at the apartment of the victim, Trashai Siske, in the pre-dawn hours of September 1, 2022. A neighbor heard an argument, followed by several gunshots just before 4am. A man with a black mask was seen on surveillance camera leaving the area, with Siske found later by MNPD inside the apartment, killed after being shot 8 times. MNPD used the victim’s phone to link her to the defendant, whose car matched the vehicle seen at the apartment. The defendant’s car was later found abandoned in Ashland City, with identifying documents and a black mask inside.
Excellent work by detectives at the Metro Nashville Police Department, electronic tracking, and the DA team’s skillful ability to piece the puzzle together resulted in a guilty verdict on both counts, and more importantly, justice for Trashai’s family.
Johnson received life behind bars without the possibility of parole.
Ricky Johnson – Defendant
Trashai’ Siske – Victim