Killer in Detroit Murder who Used Grindr To Target Victim Is Sentenced
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Diabolique Johnson, who was charged in the murder of gay Detroit resident Joshua Smelser was sentenced to 27 to 47 years in prison for killing Smelser in September 2020 in Detroit and for the armed robbery of a 26-year-old man at a Dearborn hotel four days prior.
Johnson targeted and met both men using the ubiquitous gay “dating app” Grindr.
Prosecutors said Johnson targeted members of the LGBTQ community, using online dating applications to lure gay men to Metro Detroit motels and rob them.
Johnson pleaded guilty to the homicide and armed robbery, taking responsibility for his actions, said his attorney Sanford Schulman.
Schulman said while there was no way to justify the homicide, there was evidence that showed drug use may have led to Johnson’s decision-making.
