James Johnson found guilty of first-degree murder in 2024 Carolina Beach stabbing

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A New Hanover County jury found a 43-year-old man guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday in connection with the 2024 stabbing death of a Carolina Beach man.

James Arthur Johnson was convicted following four days of testimony and jury deliberations. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office.

The case stems from the July 4, 2024, death of Dakota Capes.

According to testimony presented at trial, Johnson met a woman leaving the Carolina Beach boardwalk in the early morning hours of July 4 and agreed to walk her home. Capes later joined them, and the three went to an apartment.

The woman testified that the group drank alcohol and used drugs while listening to music. She said there was no hostility until she saw Johnson holding a large knife and looking at Capes.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Capes urged Johnson not to do anything with the knife before the woman left the apartment.

Capes was later found dead in the apartment doorway with more than 60 stab wounds.

Johnson was captured on video minutes later attempting to break into a vehicle at another apartment complex, prosecutors said. Officers arrested him as he walked away from the complex and found him covered in blood.

DNA testing later showed the blood found on Johnson and blood found throughout the crime scene belonged to Capes, according to prosecutors.

Detectives also recovered several knives from the apartment. Prosecutors said two had Capes’ blood on them and one had Johnson’s palm prints on the handle. Johnson’s DNA was also found on a cigarette butt in the kitchen and on underwear recovered from the master bathroom, where investigators said Johnson showered.

During an interview with detectives, Johnson denied being at the crime scene and denied killing anyone.

At trial, however, Johnson acknowledged that he killed Capes but testified that he acted in self-defense and was too impaired to be convicted of first-degree murder.

The jury rejected that defense and found Johnson guilty.

He will serve the remainder of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.