After a two-week trial, a Cowlitz County jury found Johnson Mailos guilty of Murder in the Second Degree with a Deadly Weapon Enhancement. The jury also found the crime was committed with deliberate cruelty.  The victim was 16 years old. 

At trial, the jury heard evidence of a fight that occurred between Mailos’ friend and the teenage victim at the Lake Sacajawea basketball courts.  Video surveillance showed the victim running to exit the court afterwards.   Mailos pursued the victim and stabbed him in the chest with a knife.  The victim died as a result of the stab wound.

On January 16, 2026, the court sentenced Mailos.  Because Mailos was 17 when he committed the murder the court was required to consider whether his youthfulness played a role in the commission of the offense.   The court found youthfulness played a role in the commission of the murder.  The State requested the court impose a sentence of 324 months.  Mailos’ attorney requested a sentence of 93 months.   The court sentenced Mailos to 216 months (18 years).  

The State was represented at trial by Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jake Lervold and Assistant Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tony Carlow. Our office appreciates the Longview Police Department detectives for their thorough investigation and assistance during the trial.  We continue to express our condolences to the victim’s family for their loss.