Peter Johnson, 57, a vice president at a Carlsbad medical company, was shot to death in his Solana Beach condominium on February 25, 1991. The shooting followed a day-long argument between Peter and his wife, Patricia Joellen Johnson; Patricia called 911 during the dispute but Peter hung up before she could speak. Deputies arrived after the call, and within a minute of its end Patricia shot Peter twice, one bullet entering his back and piercing his liver and lung.

Patricia was convicted of first-degree murder in November 1991 and sentenced to 29 years to life. A judge granted her a new trial in 2004 on the ground that evidence of alleged psychological and emotional abuse had been improperly excluded; at retrial in 2006 she was convicted of second-degree murder and given 18 years to life plus a three-year firearm enhancement. Allegations of juror misconduct during the retrial were heard but the conviction was upheld. Patricia’s defense has argued the shooting resulted from prolonged emotional and psychological abuse; prosecution described the killing as an ambush.

Anyone who knew Peter or the couple, or has information about the events that night, is asked to share what they remember.