Last Updated on March 11, 2024
New York’s bail reform releases another perp suspected of killing and dismembering a man amid Democrats’ attempts to curb the state’s violent crime.
Sheldon Johnson, 48, is charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon, according to a report by ABC7. Human remains — a torso and arms — were discovered inside Johnson’s Bronx apartment on Tuesday night.
“I’m innocent,” he shouted as being taken in custody.
Police said the suspect is an ex-convict who is also a staunch advocate of criminal justice reform — in fact, he appeared on “The Joe Rogan Experience” discussing his prior 50-year sentence.
Police reportedly made the stomach-turning discovery when authorities were alerted to a wellness check at 979 Summit Avenue in the Highbridge section.
The building’s superintendent, Orlando Medina, told ABC7, “Someone was pleading for their life. She said she heard two gunshots; someone saying, ‘Please don’t kill me. I got family,’ something like that and two more gunshots pretty quickly.”
The suspect was seen on surveillance footage coming out of the apartment wearing wigs and different articles of clothing while carrying bags. Police said they obtained additional footage of Johnson leaving the victim’s apartment, wearing his clothing.
On Wednesday night, the police obtained a warrant for Johnson’s apartment in Harlem, where they discovered legs and a head in the freezer, reported ABC7. The victim was later identified as 44-year-old Collin Small, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
The Medical Examiner’s Office’s findings eventually led to the murder charge, according to police. Concrete was also found in Johson’s car, along with a Tyvek suit.
Johnson had served almost 25 years of his 1999 50-year sentence for attempted murder, robbery and other charges. On the JRE, he spoke to Rogan about how he had turned things around:
It was at that moment that I really said — I have to change my life — I have to change my life — I just can’t do this … I had a wife, I had kids, I had family still, my son was growing up — he was hearing stories of my so-called notoriety — I just didn’t want to be that dad.
Johnson admitted on the podcast that he was a former Bloods gang member and was “the top of the food chain” but had chosen to depart from that way of life. Since his release, he has been working as a counselor at the Queens public defender’s office.
Four Suspected of Killing and Dismembering Human Corpses Released on NY Bail Reform
Johnson, who proclaims himself to be “a product of intergenerational incarceration,” was arraigned on Thursday night with much support in attendance. One even sported a jacket emblazed with “specializing in wrongful conviction arrests.”