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Judge orders $1m bond for alleged hit man
DANIEL TEPFER dtepfer@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 02/20/2008 01:46:52 AM EST
BRIDGEPORT — An alleged Jamaican hit man, who escaped a double-murder conviction more than a decade ago, was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond Tuesday for his role in a recent murder. Winston "Mutt" Grant, also known as Winston Watkins, 44, was brought into Superior Court with his hands and legs shackled.
Grant is accused of taking part in the Jan. 31 fatal shooting of Maurice Johnson of Texas Avenue. He is charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Behind him in the courtroom sat nearly a dozen of Johnson's friends and family, their eyes glued to Grant's back. Following the arraignment, they left the Golden Hill Street courthouse without comment.
Assistant State's Attorney Linda Zeffiro urged Judge Matthew Frechette to set a high bond for Grant, pointing out that he has an extensive criminal record and entered the United States illegally from his native Jamaica.
But Grant's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender David Forsythe, argued that his client contends he is not a suspect in Johnson's killing, but is being held because police believe he knows something about the crime.
Johnson, also an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, was found lying in a pool of blood in the parking lot of the Old Mill Green Library on East Main Street. He had been shot multiple times in the head.
Police said witnesses told them the victim had been at the Legend's Social Club on East Main when he was enticed into a car parked in front of the club.
Grant was arrested last week in the Bronx, N.Y.
In 1990, Grant was convicted of two counts of murder for fatally shooting a Newfield Avenue storeowner and his girlfriend. The victims had previously complained to police about Jamaican gang activities around their store. The shooting victims were found lying on the floor of the store with dimes on their chests.
Grant was sentenced to two life terms in that case, but his conviction was later overturned on a technicality by the state Supreme Court. The state was later forced to drop the murder charges against Grant when its key witness to the murders disappeared.
DANIEL TEPFER dtepfer@ctpost.com
Article Last Updated: 02/20/2008 01:46:52 AM EST
BRIDGEPORT — An alleged Jamaican hit man, who escaped a double-murder conviction more than a decade ago, was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond Tuesday for his role in a recent murder. Winston "Mutt" Grant, also known as Winston Watkins, 44, was brought into Superior Court with his hands and legs shackled.
Grant is accused of taking part in the Jan. 31 fatal shooting of Maurice Johnson of Texas Avenue. He is charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Behind him in the courtroom sat nearly a dozen of Johnson's friends and family, their eyes glued to Grant's back. Following the arraignment, they left the Golden Hill Street courthouse without comment.
Assistant State's Attorney Linda Zeffiro urged Judge Matthew Frechette to set a high bond for Grant, pointing out that he has an extensive criminal record and entered the United States illegally from his native Jamaica.
But Grant's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender David Forsythe, argued that his client contends he is not a suspect in Johnson's killing, but is being held because police believe he knows something about the crime.
Johnson, also an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, was found lying in a pool of blood in the parking lot of the Old Mill Green Library on East Main Street. He had been shot multiple times in the head.
Police said witnesses told them the victim had been at the Legend's Social Club on East Main when he was enticed into a car parked in front of the club.
Once in the car a figure in the back seat grabbed Johnson by the throat and began choking him, police said. One of the witnesses drove off to find police, but when officers arrived they found only the dead body of the victim lying between two parked cars.
Police said a witness had seen Grant get into the car before Johnson.Grant was arrested last week in the Bronx, N.Y.
In 1990, Grant was convicted of two counts of murder for fatally shooting a Newfield Avenue storeowner and his girlfriend. The victims had previously complained to police about Jamaican gang activities around their store. The shooting victims were found lying on the floor of the store with dimes on their chests.
Grant was sentenced to two life terms in that case, but his conviction was later overturned on a technicality by the state Supreme Court. The state was later forced to drop the murder charges against Grant when its key witness to the murders disappeared.
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