Cold case murder accused Steven Johnson granted bail
A landlord accused of bludgeoning his tenant to death with a baseball bat has been granted bail – despite fears he could tamper with the victim’s remains.
Police & Courts
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A landlord accused of bludgeoning his tenant to death over an unresolved rent dispute has been released on bail despite fears he could tamper with the victim’s body.
Steven Johnson, 71, is accused of murdering his tenant, Christopher Jarvis, over an unresolved rent dispute that was due before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal the day after the alleged killing in June 2006.
Fresh allegations over the alleged murder were heard in the Supreme Court on Friday including that Jarvis – a much-loved father – was hit in the back of the head with an imitation firearm, pinned to the ground and bashed with a baseball bat in the driveway of his rental home owned by Johnson in Wangoom, near Warrnambool in Victoria’s west.
Despite prosecution allegations Johnson concealed the crime, dumped the body and even attempted to contact a potential police witness, Justice John Champion granted him bail on strict conditions, including that he wear a 24/7 GPS tracker and avoid the Framlingham Forest where police believe Jarvis’ body remains.
Glenn Fenwick, 59, is also accused of the murder and remains in custody.
Jarvis’ family sat in court as the decision was handed down, some crying at the revelation their father’s alleged killer would now be free to walk among them.
His son Cale Jarvis said it was “a pretty big pill to swallow” but that he was relieved his family may soon learn what happened to their father 17 years ago.
“We are going to put on a brave face and do what we have to do so we can get our father’s remains and put him to rest,” he said
Jarvis’ stepdaughter Nicole Raitt added: “It hurts to know that (Johnson) is going to be 10km from us and that we could see him in the supermarket. It really hurts.”
The prosecution will allege Jarvis was killed and his car used to dispose of his body in the Framlingham Forest, located about 9km from the scene of the alleged crime, following a dispute over failed rental payments.
His car was later found burnt out outside a local beauty venue, with a baseball bat found inside.
Police allege Johnson attempted to conceal the alleged murder by grading the driveway and that he tried to contact a police officer with potential involvement in the case, the court heard.
The prosecution argued releasing him on bail meant he could potentially interfere with witnesses or evidence, including the whereabouts of Jarvis’ body.
However, Justice Champion ruled in favour of bail, citing exceptional circumstances.
Johnson suffers from a range of chronic health conditions and has not received adequate medication while in prison, the court heard.
He was also threatened at knifepoint by two inmates at Melbourne Assessment Prison over his wedding ring shortly after his arrest in November last year.
The case was adjourned for committal mention at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on June 16.
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