A 12-time convicted felon who murdered a co-worker in front of patrons and fellow employees at City Winery has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to murder this week, according to court records.
A bartender was cutting fruit inside the venue, 1200 West Randolph Street, around 5 p.m. on May 22, 2024, when dishwasher Clarence Johnson approached the bar, loudly praised Jesus Christ, and then lay face down on the floor, prosecutors said.
Another employee, Francois Reed-Swain, 47, asked Johnson why he was on the floor, and the two walked away together. Moments later, both men returned. Security video showed Johnson pushing Reed-Swain against the bar and swinging his hand in a downward motion, prosecutors said. The bartender looked up and realized Johnson was stabbing Reed-Swain with those downward blows…