ORPHEUS Johnson, who had confessed to killing two men in 2015, has moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge his two life sentences.
Johnson is arguing that the sentences are manifestly excessive and severe in all the circumstances of the cases. He was sentenced in May, by Justice Sandil Kissoon, who was presiding over his trials in the Demerara High Court He was indicted on two counts of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.
He admitted to shooting a sleeping family and killing Travis Rudder Snr, on June 21, 2015, at their Lot 130 Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara home. He also admitted that on the same day and location, he discharged a loaded firearm at Rudder’s reputed wife, Mawanza Gill and their then 18-month-old son, Jaleel Rudder, with the intent to commit murder.
On the day, gunmen, firing semi-automatic pistols through a bedroom window, pumped 12 bullets into 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, Rudder lay sprawled and lifeless on his bed; his 18-month-old son was badly wounded as he had six gunshots to the stomach and back, and Rudder’s reputed wife was bleeding from gunshot wounds to both legs.
Johnson stood before the court and also admitted that on April 22, 2015, at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, he killed Gladstone George, called “Brother”, of Brutus Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara, who was shot execution-style while a passenger of a minibus.
George was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Johnson was arrested and placed on an ID parade where he was positively pointed out by an eyewitness. Justice Kissoon sentenced Johnson to serve two life sentences for killing the two men. He will become eligible for parole after serving 30 years. Johnson was further sentenced to 20 years on each of the two attempted murder charges.