‘I Got Rights,’ Defendant Interjects in Hearing Concerning the Attempted Murder of His Wife

By Shayna Sefret [former] - July 6, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A July 5 reception court hearing became tense after defendant voiced his anger over his extended prison stay.

Both Roderick Johnson and his defense attorney, Benjamin Charlton, used a frustrated tone after the prosecutor’s third postponement of the defendant’s attempted murder trial.

Charlton told Judge Melissa M. Phinn that he was ready to proceed with his client’s trial that Wednesday, but the assistant state’s attorney said she was still contagious with a virus and needed more time. 

“If you’re contagious you should be at home,” Judge Phinn told the prosecutor, but agreed to postpone the case until the prosecutor’s several week long quarantine ended.

Both Charlton and Johnson were disappointed with this additional postponement. Johnson interrupted asking, “Can I get bail?” Johnson told Judge Phinn he already served 17 months in prison awaiting trial. 

Judge Phinn set the trial date for July 24 for a five day trial before Judge Kendra Y. Ausby.

Johnson is currently facing charges of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, reckless endangerment, and second degree assault.

According to the statement of charges, Johnson shot his wife in the back, chest, and arm on the 700 block of Linnard Street. She also sustained head trauma which caused a brain injury. Over the course of the investigation, Johnson was discovered as a potential suspect and was positively identified as the perpetrator by the victim.