‘Spinning the gun around her finger’: 16-year-old playing Russian roulette with teen girlfriend shot in head and killed her while young sisters were home

'Spinning the gun around her finger': 16-year-old playing Russian roulette with teen girlfriend shot in head and killed her while young sisters were home

MISSOURI — A teenage girl was sentenced to prison after a deadly game of Russian roulette left her 16-year-old girlfriend shot in the head while the couple’s young sisters were at home, prosecutors say.

Mary Cornelius, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter and on Thursday received a seven-year prison sentence in the death of Mattison Johnson, 16. Authorities say the killing occurred on Jan. 3 at the residence shared by the teens and Johnson’s younger siblings.

How the shooting unfolded

Prosecutors say Cornelius and Johnson were playing a lethal game when Cornelius was observed “spinning the gun around her finger,” an action Mattison’s mother says is when the firearm discharged. Johnson was struck in the head and later died.

Johnson’s mother, Nicole Pettis, told local reporters that one of her younger daughters — a 9-year-old — discovered the injured teen and called for help. The 9- and 11-year-old sisters were reportedly in the home at the time of the shooting.

Family reaction and alleged history

Pettis has publicly described the relationship as abusive, and said she believes the shooting was not truly accidental. After Cornelius was arrested and charged, Pettis vowed to pursue justice for her daughter and expressed anger over the loss.

Cornelius accepted a plea deal to involuntary manslaughter rather than facing a trial on a higher charge. The sentence handed down will include time in a youth/juvenile setting transitioning to adult custody consistent with state law and the plea agreement.

Sentence and aftermath

Cornelius’ seven-year sentence follows her guilty plea; details about parole eligibility or additional conditions were not provided in the report. Johnson’s family continues to grieve; her mother told reporters she hopes the sentence forces Cornelius to confront the consequences of her actions.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or is struggling with violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788 for confidential support.

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