Mystery as high-flying Texas judge vanishes from courtroom for weeks after presiding over state's biggest trials - as rumors swirl over her 'manic' behavior

A prominent Texas judge has been missing from the courtroom after presiding over some of the state's biggest trials, prompting concerns over her well-being, according to reports.

Judge Kelli Johnson has been absent from the 178th District Court since May 1, reported KTRK.

Johnson oversaw several of the state's major trials and convicted a man of capital murder for the 2020 beating death of an 8-year-old boy in April.

Her absence has led to speculation about her mental health with one courthouse employee telling the local news station she exhibited 'manic behavior.' 

'She's a danger to herself and to the community,' the employee said.

Prominent Texas judge Kelli Johnson has been missing from the courtroom after presiding over some of the state's biggest trials

Johnson (right) is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County and has two sons, a 12-year-old and 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett (left)

A Houston police report obtained by KTRK revealed Johnson was involved in an incident near her home on May 4. 

An officer cited a 'disturbance/CIT' on the report, which is a police acronym for crisis intervention.

Visiting judges have been covering Johnson's court docket, including retired Judge Jim Wallace presiding over a trial in her place. 

Amanda Cain, communications director for the Administrative Office of the District Courts, said, 'Judge Johnson is out for personal matters.' 

Johnson is one of Harris County's longest-serving current judges, she was first elected in 2016 and voted in for a second term in 2020. 

She is the first openly gay female judge elected in Harris County and has two sons, a 12-year-old and 10-month-old, with her wife Hilary Bartlett according to her biography.

In April, after 20 minutes of deliberation Johnson convicted Brian Coulter, 34, of capital murder for beating his girlfriend's 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, to death in 2020

Johnson (center left) is one of Harris County's longest-serving current judges, she was first elected in 2016 and voted in for a second term in 2020

Visiting judges have been covering Johnson's court docket, including retired Judge Jim Wallace (pictured) presiding over a trial in her place

Johnson previously served as an Assistant District Attorney for 17 years and got her law degree from South Texas College of Law.

As a judge, she serves as the Administrative Judge over the Criminal Board and is on the State of Texas’ Board of Texas Association of Specialty Courts.

Her last Facebook post on her official account was April 19 inviting constituents to attend a fundraiser for democratic criminal court judicial candidates.

In April, after 20 minutes of deliberation by the jury, Brian Coulter, 34, was found guilty of capital murder for beating his girlfriend's 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, to death in 2020, leading to Johnson sentencing him to life in prison.

'This is probably one of the most horrific set of facts that I have ever had to witness, to listen to and to imagine,' Johnson said during her sentencing.

'Sir, those children have haunted me this last week. I hope, sir, when you're in prison, those same boys that have haunted my mind haunt yours.'

Coulter will serve life in prison for beating the child to death inside the couple's apartment at CityParc II complex in Houston on November 20, 2020.

Coulter (pictured) will serve life in prison for beating the child to death inside the couple's apartment at CityParc II complex in Houston on November 20, 2020

Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player, AJ Armstrong (pictured), who was convicted of killing his parents as a 16-year-old in 2016

Prosecutors said after beating the boy to death, Coulter and his girlfriend, Gloria Williams, moved out of the apartment and left her other three sons to live alone with Lee's remains. 

Johnson presided over all three trials of the son of a former NFL player who was convicted of killing his parents as a 16-year-old in 2016.

After two mistrials, Antonio Armstrong Jr. - AJ - was found guilty of murdering his parents, Dawn and Antonio Sr. in August.

Antonio Sr. was a former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers.

In 2016, Dawn and Antonio Sr. were each shot in the head, with pillows placed over their faces, as they slept in their Texas home.