THE suspect in the deadly Republic Park shooting was yesterday brought before Magistrate Ann McLennan and slapped with a series of charges. Orpheus Johnson of Second Street, Craig Village, East Bank Demerara was charged with two counts of murder and was not required to plead to neither of the charges, one of which said on Sunday, June 21 at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, he murdered Travis Rudder Snr.
Particulars of the other murder charge said on Wednesday, April 22 at Agricola, on the East Bank of Demerara, he murdered Gladstone George.

The twenty-eight-year-old pork-knocker was also charged with a third offence, to which he was not required to plead. It is alleged that on January 22 at Caneville, also on the East Bank of Demerara, being armed with a gun he robbed Collin Headley of $55,000 in cash.
It was further alleged that on Saturday, June 20 at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, Johnson broke and entered the dwelling house of Miguel Benjamin and stole one semi-automatic pistol and seventeen matching rounds of ammunition, together valued $403,000. This charge was also laid indictably.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to two charges, one of which said on Sunday, July 5 at Stabroek Market Area, Georgetown, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol, when he was not a holder of a firearm licence.
Details of the other summary charge stated that on the same day at Stabroek Market area, Georgetown, he had in his possession eighteen 9mm live rounds of ammunition when he was not a licensed firearm holder.
The father of one was represented by attorney-at-law, Mr. George Thomas, who told the court that his client does not pose a flight risk and has no pending matter in court.
According to Thomas, Johnson has an alibi regarding the latter murder charge, which the defence will be pursuing. The lawyer urged the court to consider that it is a case of mistaken identity and asked for a short date for trial. He further stated that Johnson was in custody prior to last Sunday and received an injury to his right hand, stating that he was being mistreated by the police.
Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones confirmed that the police had applied to the High Court for an extension of time in keeping Johnson in custody, which was granted.
The murder charge for the killing of George and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition were transferred before Magistrate Judy Latchman for July 27.
Two other matters, involving the robbery under arms and the break and enter and larceny of soldier Benjamin’s home, where he allegedly stole the semi-automatic pistol with matching ammunition were transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the same day.
However, the murder involving Rudder Snr. was transferred to Court One for July 29.
According to reports, 26-year-old Rudder was killed in his bed after a gunman pumped 18 bullets into his body through a bedroom window of his home.
The mother of Rudder’s child, Mawanza Gill, who was residing with him, was shot seven times, with four bullets hitting her in one leg and another three in the other leg. The couple’s eighteen-month-old baby, Travis Rudder, Jnr. was injured in the shooting, receiving five bullets about his body.
Rudder appeared in the news back in 2007 when he was just 17 and was accused of shooting to death his then girlfriend, 14-year-old Donnis King of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.
The man was, however, found not guilty of manslaughter or murder by a jury in a trial presided by Justice Dawn Gregory in 2011, when the judgment was handed down.
Back in 2011, the court was told by the defence attorney that the accused and the young lady were at home, and that he was playing with his .38 revolver when it accidently went off. The court was also told that the young man never intended to injure the woman, since he had no reason to do so.
The prosecution, however, had stated that the man and the woman were having an argument over infidelity when he shot her.