Murder accused: Orpheus Johnson

Orpheus Johnson, who is accused of killing Travis Rudder Snr. and Gladstone George, was yesterday arraigned before a city Magistrate, slapped with two murder charges.
Johnson, 28, a porkknocker of Second Street, Craig, East Bank Demerara, is accused of murdering Travis Rudder Snr., on June 21, at Republic Park.
Gunmen firing semi-automatic pistols through a bedroom window, pumped 12 bullets into career criminal Travis Rudder Snr. and a few more rounds into his wife and baby son, as they slept in their bedroom.
By the time the gunmen’s clips were empty, 26-year-old Rudder lay sprawled and lifeless on his bed; his 18-month old son, Travis Rudder (Jnr), badly wounded, with six gunshots to the stomach and back, and Rudder’s reputed wife, Mawanza Gill, bleeding from gunshot wounds to both legs.
Rudder was accused of the March, 2007 murder of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend Donnis King, who was shot in the stomach at her Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara home.
Rudder was arrested some six months after the killing, but was found not guilty in 2011.
The second charge facing Orpheus Johnson alleged that on April 22, at Agricola East Bank Demerara, he murdered Gladstone George.
Gladstone George, called ‘Brother’, 32, of Agricola, was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), minutes after he received two bullets to the head while he was sitting in a mini bus.
George had just joined the bus and from all indications, his killer was trailing him and waited for the opportunity to strike.
Johnson, a father of one was also accused of robbery under arms.
On January 22, last, at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, while armed with a gun, he robbed Collin Headley of $53,000.
He was not required to plead to these three charges after they were read to him by Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan.
It was further alleged that on June 20, at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, Johnson broke and entered the dwelling house of Miguel Benjamin and stole one semi- automatic pistol along with seventeen rounds of matching ammunition – to the value of $403,000.
Finally, he was accused of having a 9mm pistol and eighteen live rounds of 9mm ammunition in his possession on July 5, at Stabroek Market, when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.
To these two charges, Johnson pleaded not guilty.
Johnson was remanded to prison.  He will return to court on July 27, to answer the charge of murdering Gladstone George, unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition, armed robbery and break and enter charges.
As it relates to Rudder’s murder charge he will appear in court on July 29, before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones, presented the prosecution’s case and did not relate any facts to the court.
Attorney George Thomas represented the defendant. Thomas, during his brief submission, informed the court that his client has no pending matters and is not a flight risk.  The lawyer contended that his client has an alibi, as it relates to George’s murder charge, which the defence will present to the court during trial.
He argued that his client was assaulted during incarceration.  He said that the defendant was also kept in custody beyond the 72 hours time period.
In response to this, the Prosecutor said that the police had applied for an extension to keep the defendant in custody.
Johnson is said to be well known to law enforcement authorities.
He was nabbed two Sundays ago, while attempting to board a minibus. At the time he had in his possession an unlicensed firearm.
His criminal career dated way back to 2009 when he faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder and robbery under-arms. However, Johnson was not convicted on the charges.