Witness tells court landlord shot tenant over unpaid rent
An associate testified that Steven Johnson, 74, fatally shot tenant Christopher Jarvis in 2006 after a confrontation over unpaid rent escalated.
Steven Frederick Johnson stands trial in Victorian Supreme Court for the June 2006 death of tenant Christopher Jarvis, 38, which he denies. An unnamed associate gave evidence on Tuesday.
Johnson wanted Jarvis evicted because of unpaid rent and car payments, the associate said. The associate said Johnson struck Jarvis to the back of the head with a starter pistol during a confrontation.
When Jarvis started screaming, Johnson allegedly shot him in the ear. The associate testified the situation escalated beyond what he expected.
Johnson later allegedly transported Jarvis to a remote forest. He dug a grave and struck Jarvis with a baseball bat.
The associate told the jury Johnson warned him not to speak about what happened.
- June 13, 2006
- Date of death
- Christopher Jarvis, 38
- Victim's age
- Steven Johnson, 74
- Suspect's age
- Wangoom near Warrnambool, Victoria
- Location
Why it mattersA witness account revealing alleged motive and method in a long-unsolved case clarifies what prosecutors say happened to Jarvis.
AustraliaThe trial may bring closure to a Victoria cold case and affects how courts treat disputes over rental debt.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 d ago
