Judge Jennifer Anderson ruled Tuesday that there was probable cause to hold Carlton Maurice Johnson without bond in connection with the shooting deaths of Anthony Chase and Eric Leeper.
Chase and Leeper were found by police with multiple gunshot wounds shortly before midnight on July 17, 2013. Nearly nine months later, Johnson was arrested on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder while armed.
Defense attorney Brandi Harden argued that Johnson should be released because charging documents rely on one witness who identified Johnson. In addition, Johnson has no history of fleeing prosecution, she said.
“This was a very violent offense and was premeditated,” Judge Anderson responded, “I believe he would present a significant danger to the community.”
MPD detective Dwayne Partman testified Tuesday that a witness in the case saw a gold car, possibly a BMW, speed past them on Ridge Road Southeast, run a stop sign on the day of the murders. Moments later, the witness saw the gold car parked on the 3900 block of C Street Southeast.
That witness recognized one of two men who exited the car as “Woo,” and watched as both men covered their hair and heads with clothing, according to Partman. Charging documents say that the witness later identified a photo of Johnson as “Woo”.
Johnson and the other man then crossed a grassy area into the 300 block of Ridge Road Southeast, where they began shooting at Chase, Leeper, and a third person, the witness told police, according to Partman.
The witness told police that after Chase and Leeper were shot, Johnson approached Leeper and shot him again before both men fled the scene, according to Partman.
Two MPD officers in an unmarked police car heard gunshots but thought they were fireworks and left the area, Partman said. The two officers returned when they responded to the dispatch call, according to Partman, and saw one man shooting.
Charging documents say that two police officers identified the shooter as a man wearing a black tank top and blue jean shorts shooting in the 300 block of Ridge Road Southeast.
A status hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on July 29.
