Johnson gets attorney, new court date in New London murder case
Jamir Johnson, charged last month in the Dec. 9, 2017, shooting death of Quvonte Andre Gray in New London, was appointed a public defender Wednesday in Superior Court.
About a dozen vocal supporters attended Johnson's first appearance in the court where major crimes are tried, shouting "We love you" and "He's innocent" as he was led back into the lockup area following the brief appearance before Judge Hunchu Kwak. Judicial Marshal Lt. Kevin Costin followed the group out of the courtroom and spoke to them about their behavior.
Johnson, 19, is charged with murder, possession of a pistol without a permit and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He is being held at the Manson Youth Institution in lieu of $1.5 million bond.
Judge Kwak appointed attorney M. Fred DeCaprio from the public defender's office to represent Johnson. He also granted the state's motion to continue to seal from public inspection the arrest warrant affidavit detailing the state's case against Johnson. Senior Assistant State's Attorney Paul J. Narducci, who is prosecuting Johnson, asked for the continued sealing, saying the investigation is continuing.
Johnson's next court date is Oct. 3. In the coming weeks, he and his attorney will be discussing whether he wants a probable cause hearing at which the state would have to prove to a judge that there is enough evidence to prosecute Johnson for murder.
Police said they found Gray, 21, with a gunshot wound to the head in a basement apartment at 4 Orchard St. shortly after 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 9. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Gray, a Florida resident, frequently visited New London and stayed in the city for extended periods, according to police. Police announced the day after the shooting that they wanted to speak with Johnson about the case. He did not respond to their attempts to talk to him, and in May they obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On July 31, police in Halifax, Mass., said they stopped Johnson and took him into custody following a brief foot chase after he was observed riding a bicycle through a neighborhood. They said he was wearing clothing and rubber gloves similar to those seen in a surveillance video at a home of a burglary victim.
Johnson still faces burglary charges in Massachusetts but waived extradition to Connecticut to answer first to the murder charge.
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