Roy Johnson and Devin Taylor, suspects in deadly Poughkeepsie hotel shooting, plead not guilty
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- The two suspects in the deadly hotel shooting in Poughkeepsie pleaded not guilty in court on Friday.
Roy Johnson Jr., charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, was brought into the Dutchess County courtroom in handcuffs and shackles, CBS2's Nick Caloway reported.
Court records say Johnson was cursing and yelling in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott on Oct. 2. According to police, Johnson opened fire with a handgun after a clerk stopped him.
Paul Kutz, a father of three of was staying at the hotel during Marist College's family weekend, was shot and killed.
"Entered a plea of not guilty. We expect to receive discovery within the next 20 days. We'll review all that. We'll do everything legally possible to help our client," said Kevin Prue, of the Dutchess County Public Defender's Office.
Devin Taylor, Johnson's alleged accomplice, also pleaded not guilty. Taylor is charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
Police said the transient men were staying at the hotel when the shooting happened. Cops found a loaded and operable AR-15 style rifle and a guitar case modified to hold the rifle inside their room. They also found Tannerite, which explodes when struck by gunfire, a so-called flash-bang hand grenade and a smoke bomb.
"An arraignment is step number one. So, we've just had that and we'll see where we go from here, review discovery and, like I said it's just the beginning," said Mara Timourian, Taylor's attorney.
A judge ordered Johnson and Taylor to be held without bail. Both suspects are due back in court for a motion hearing on Nov. 30.
Before the shooting, Johnson was a fugitive wanted by police in Georgia on gun and drug charges.
