Who were charged in Andrea Cincotta’s murder?
In August 1998, Andrea Cincotta, a single mother-of-one and local librarian, was tragically strangled to death.
Her body was discovered by her fiance, James Christopher Johnson, in the closet of their shared apartment in Arlington, Virginia.
Initially, Johnson and Bobby Joe Leonard, a maintenance worker, were the primary suspects in the case, but as leads grew cold, the investigation hit a standstill.
More than two decades later, new developments arose in the case of Andrea Cincotta’s murder.
Credit: FAMILY HANDOUT
Who were charged in Andrea Cincotta’s murder?
Both her fiance, James Christopher Johnson, and Bobby Joe Leonard, who was already serving time for a separate crime involving the rape and attempted murder of a teenager, were charged in connection with her 1998 strangulation death.
In a trial, Leonard pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Johnson, on the other hand, was found not guilty.
However, the story did not end there. In a remarkable turn of events, Bobby Joe Leonard, who was already incarcerated, confessed to the murder two decades later and implicated James Christopher Johnson as well.
Consequently, in 2021, both men were charged anew in relation to the case.
Credit: ABC
This narrative not only encompasses a tale of a heinous crime but also underscores the unwavering determination of a son seeking justice for his mother’s death.
NBC Dateline is set to explore the details surrounding Andrea Cincotta’s tragic strangulation death and the subsequent mystery that unfolded in an upcoming episode titled “Behind the Closet Door.”
The episode is scheduled to air on June 23, 2023, at 9:00 pm ET on the NBC channel.
While no specific information regarding the official synopsis for the episode was provided, viewers can expect a comprehensive examination of the case, shedding light on the events surrounding Andrea Cincotta’s murder and the ensuing investigation.
The episode will likely offer an in-depth analysis of the evidence, interviews with key individuals involved in the case, and a closer look at the efforts made to uncover the truth behind this chilling crime.
“After Andrea Cincotta is found murdered in her Virginia home, her son embarks on a 20-year quest for justice that leads him down a dark and twisted path. Josh Mankiewicz reports.”
In an upcoming episode of NBC Dateline, airing this Friday, the case of Andrea Cincotta will be featured.
Andrea Cincotta was tragically found strangled in the closet of the apartment she shared with her one-time fiance, James Christopher Johnson, back in August 1998.
After nearly 25 years of being under suspicion, Johnson was acquitted of all charges last November.
Bobby Joe Leonard, a convicted rapist, had pleaded guilty in connection with the murder.
In 2021, both James Christopher Johnson, aged 59, and Bobby Joe Leonard, aged 53, were charged with aggravated murder, with allegations of murder-for-hire.
Johnson had been the victim’s live-in fiance and had been in a seven-year relationship with Andrea Cincotta at the time of her murder.
Bobby Joe Leonard was already serving a life sentence for an unrelated rape and attempted murder of a 13-year-old when he faced charges in connection with Cincotta’s murder.
He had visited her apartment a few weeks prior to the crime, as she had given him an old computer and printer.
The upcoming episode of NBC Dateline will delve into Andrea Cincotta’s story, showcasing her resilience, intelligence, and positive spirit.
The episode will air at 9/8c as a two-hour special on Friday, providing a detailed examination of the case and shedding light on the events surrounding her tragic murder.
