Naman Shrestha
In the episode titled ‘Rivalry Fueled Murder’ of ‘A Killer Among Friends,’ the primary focus is on the tragic killing of a 14-year-old pitcher named Andrew Mockus in Davis, California. The incident sent shockwaves across the entire community, after which the detectives launched a homicide investigation. As they interviewed witnesses near the crime scene, they uncovered shocking details that led them to the perpetrators. The documentary features interviews with Andrew’s loved ones and the officials who helped solve the case.
Andrew Mockus Was Found Dead Next to the Railroad Tracks
Born around 1978, Andrew Mockus was the beloved son of Raminta and Al Mockus. Growing up, he was close to his older brother, Alex, who was a student at Davis Senior High School. Andrew attended Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High School in Davis, California, where he not only excelled academically but was also involved in several extracurricular activities. For instance, he was a starting pitcher on the school’s baseball team and played in a rock band. So he was popular and well-liked among the teachers and his peers. Andrew had high hopes for his promising future, but they were shattered on the fateful evening of April 24, 1992.
When he failed to return home by his 9:30 pm curfew, his father became worried because it was unusual for him. He then informed the police about the situation, after which they began searching for the missing 14-year-old Holmes Junior High School student. A few hours later, they discovered Andrew’s remains and bike next to the railroad tracks near the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, after receiving a 911 call from a witness. The police didn’t believe the crime was racially motivated or gang-related. They also found no evidence or indication of any weapon being used to commit the murder.
Andrew Mockus’s Killers Were Apprehended Thanks to Witness Statements
As the investigators spoke with multiple witnesses near the crime scene, they learned that Andrew Mockus was out with a couple of his friends when they were confronted by a group of three Martin Luther King High School students — Michael Johnson, Andrew Childs, and Joshua Bettencourt — near the end of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden. After his two friends ran away from the scene, the three suspects reportedly severely beat him and left him alone for a short while before returning to hit him again. The 14-year-old then ran towards the track, where he was pushed in front of a moving freight train just west of Old Davis Road around 8:30 pm on the fateful night of April 24, 1992.
Two days after the homicide, on April 26, based on the witness statements and evidence, the police arrested the three suspects, Michael, Childs, and Joshua, and charged them with the killing of Andrew Mockus. They were held in custody at the Solano County Juvenile Hall in Fairfield, without bail. During the interview following his arrest, Michael reportedly admitted to pushing Andrew in front of the train. Meanwhile, Childs told the detectives that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and claimed that he didn’t know why he kept striking Andrew.
Michael Johnson, Andrew Childs, and Joshua Bettencourt Were Eventually Brought to Justice
Initially, Joshua Bettencourt was also charged with murder in connection with the killing of Andrew Mockus. However, he was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony against the other two accused, Michael Johnson and Andrew Childs. A few months later, Childs was found guilty of assault. During Michael Johnson’s trial in August 1992, the prosecution highlighted the witness statements and told the jury how the defendant had also confessed to pushing Andrew in front of the train. The defense argued that Michael could not be convicted of second-degree murder because the prosecution had no evidence of malice aforethought. They also argued that his confession was coerced as the interrogator confused him using long and complex questions.
The prosecution claimed that the defendant wasn’t confused during the interview, as the interrogator uncovered the truth like peeling an onion, layer by layer. In the end, on August 24, 1992, after 45 minutes of deliberation, Michael was found guilty of second-degree murder and assault. Following the verdict, Andrew’s brother, Alex, expressed relief, stating, “It’s a feeling that this is the final step of this whole tragedy. Now the family can get on with their lives, not forgetting about it. But this is like anew life.” Less than a month later, on September 16, Michael was sentenced to seven years in a California Youth Authority facility.
Days later, on September 24, Childs pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to a maximum of four years in a California Youth Authority facility. More than two years later, in November 1994, a civil lawsuit was filed against Michael, Childs, and Joshua. Ultimately, Michael was declared guilty of a civil offense, and the Yolo County jury awarded $200,000 against him. Meanwhile, Childs and Joshua were exonerated of any civil offenses. After serving their respective sentences, Michael and Childs seemingly led a private life, away from the limelight.
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