Berbice fugitive remanded for murder in cellphone dispute

Nicholas Johnson, 25, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for the charge of murder of 31-year-old Colene Toney.

Johnson, who was represented by Attorneys Chandra Sohan and Adrian Annamyaha, was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was ordered remanded to prison.

The incident occurred on February 20, 2024, at Number 53 Village, Corentyne.

The court heard that Johnson and Toney were involved in an argument over an unpaid cellphone which led to an argument then escalated into a fight, during which Johnson allegedly left and returned with a knife, stabbing Toney multiple times.

Toney was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Johnson was on the run since the night of the incident. He turned himself in on Wednesday at the Springlands Police Station, accompanied by an attorney.

Johnson’s return also uncovered a series of other legal troubles, including a 51-month prison sentence handed down in his absence for felonious wounding, along with pending charges for rape, wanton driving causing bodily harm, and multiple assault offenses.

The case has been transferred to the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court for report on August 27.