Former murder accused Orpheus Johnson was yesterday faced with two new murder charges, including the killing of Travis Rudder, who was fatally shot at his Nandy Park residence in an attack last month that left his fiancée and young child wounded.
Johnson also stands accused of the murder of Gladstone George, who was fatally shot while seated with other passengers in a minibus on the Agricola Public Road in April 22.
In total, six charges were read to Johnson, 28, of Second Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, when he appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magis-trates’ Courts.
He was not required to plead to the charges of murder and armed robbery, while he pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of firearm and possession of ammunition.
It was alleged that on June 21, Johnson murdered Rudder, 26, at his at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara home.
Rudder, a miner, who had been accused of murder and other crimes, was killed after shots were fired through the bedroom window of his residence, hitting him, his fiancée Mawanza Gill and their 18-month-old son. They were all taken to the hospital, where Rudder was pronounced dead on arrival, while Gill and their son were admitted. Gill was shot seven times in her legs and as a result she sustained several broken bones, while her son was shot several times to his abdomen.
Johnson was also charged with murdering George, 32, on April 22, at Agricola, East Bank Demerara.
An eyewitness had told Stabroek News that he was standing on the main road when he heard two gunshots and subsequently saw passengers rushing out of a bus. George was later seen slumped in his seat with a gunshot wound to his head.
It was also alleged that on January 27, at Kaneville, Johnson, being armed with a gun, robbed Collin Headley of $55,000 cash. It was alleged too that on June 20, at Windsor Estate, Peters Hall, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Miguel Benjamin and stole a pistol and 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition, amounting to $403,000 in value.
Additionally, Johnson was charged with having in his possession a 9mm pistol as well as with having 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition, on July 5, in the Stabroek Market area, without being a licensed firearm holder.
Attorney George Thomas represented Johnson and told the court that in relation to the murder of George, his client was placed on an identification parade that was not properly done. He said Johnson being picked out was a case of mistaken identity.
In addition, Thomas also expressed his dissatisfaction at Johnson being held in custody since July 5, when he was arrested. The lawyer said his client had been detained for a lengthy period during which he was beaten and the resulting injuries were visible on his body.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones disputed the lawyer’s claims in relation to George’s murder. He said at the time of the fatal shooting a police officer was in a vehicle behind the minibus and it was the same officer who positively identified Johnson.
Jones, who also said Johnson was found with the gun that was stolen from Benjamin, informed the court that the police had made a successful application for an extension to keep him in custody after his arrest.
After hearing lengthy submissions, the magistrate assigned each matter to the court with the respective jurisdiction.
The charges related to the murder of Rudder and the possession of the firearm and ammunition were assigned to Georgetown Magistrate’s Court 3 for July 27, while the break and enter and armed robbery charges were transferred to Court 5 for the same date. The charge for the murder of George remains in Court 2, where it will be called on July 29.
Johnson had previously been charged with the murder of Kaneville resident Brendon Charles in 2009. It was alleged that between April 7 and April 8, 2009, at Kaneville, Johnson murdered Charles, whose body was discovered in a yard several streets away from his Lot 914 Fourth Field, Kaneville home.
In October, 2013, Johnson was freed in the High Court by Justice James Bovell-Drakes after a no-case submission was upheld in his favour.
