Kaufman County District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley announced that a Kaufman County Grand Jury has returned a true bill of indictment on one count of Capital Murder against 25-year-old Darrian Cortez Johnson, of Mississippi. Johnson is formally charged in connection with the death of Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop on the evening of Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The indictment alleges that Johnson intentionally and knowingly caused Officer Candanoza’s death by shooting him with a firearm, knowing that Candanoza was a peace officer conducting his official duties at the time.
District Attorney Wiley confirmed that her office will prosecute the case against Johnson in the 422nd District Court.
“I am very pleased and in full support of the decision today of the Kaufman County Grand Jury to indict the suspect for Capital Murder of a Police Officer, in the death of Jacob Candanoza. This is the first step towards justice being served and will begin the healing for this community. I hope that it serves as a clear message that the members of this county and our law enforcement community will not allow this type behavior to go unpunished.”, said Terrell Chief of Police Arley D. Sansom in a statement.
