Solana Beach

A Solana Beach housewife, who told authorities her husband deserved to die, has been convicted by a Vista Superior Court jury of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband of 11 months.

Patricia (Joellen) Johnson, 46, was convicted by a jury after four hours of deliberation Wednesday for the murder of Peter Johnson, 57, a medical supplies executive who was her third husband.

She faces 27 years to life in prison.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kate Elkin showed the jury through witnesses that Joellen Johnson suspected that her husband was having affairs behind her back--claims that he had steadfastly denied during their two-year relationship.

The defense argued that the man had toyed psychologically with his wife, leading to the shooting. Joellen Johnson’s attorney said the slaying should be considered only as manslaughter.

On the night he was shot and killed, Feb. 25, the two were arguing in their Solana Beach condominium when she called 911. At that, he announced that their brief marriage was over. As he turned his back on her, she reached for a .38-caliber handgun from her dresser and shot him in the back, according to evidence presented during the trial.

Even as her husband was being tended by paramedics at their home, she told sheriff’s deputies that “he deserves to die for what he did to me,” according to trial testimony.