New Hate Crime Charges Against Wesleyan Suspect
Suspect in killing of Johanna Justin-Jinich heads to court
AP
Stephen P. Morgan, is charged with murder in the shooting death of Johanna Justin-Jinich, a 21-year-old Wesleyan University student.
Stephen Morgan was slapped with additional hate crime charges when he appeared in court Tuesday to answer charges in the murder of a Wesleyan University student in a bookstore café last month. Morgan, 29, pleaded not guilty to murder, as well as intimidation based on bigotry or bias and carrying a pistol without a permit.
Morgan is accused of shooting and killing Johanna Justin-Jinich on May 6 at the Red and Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books. On May 7, Morgan turned himself in to police after seeing his photo in a local newspaper. He remains in jail on $15 million bond.
Morgan waived a probable cause hearing and is due back in court August 5.
The shooting disrupted life at Wesleyan, in the city of Middletown and for the Jewish community after police found a journal with threats, including ant-Semitic rants like "I think it's ok to kill Jews and go on a killing spree." It also says "Kill Johanna. She must Die," according to an arrest warrant.
Search warrants for Morgan’s car and motel room were recently unsealed and show the path Morgan likely took to Middletown based on receipts found, the Press reports.
May 1:
Massachusetts Turnpike receipt
May 2:
Wendy’s in Richmond, R.I.
Hyannis Travel Inn in Hyannis, Mass.
Parking garage at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.
May 6: The day Justin-Jinich was killed.
Burger King in Willington
Gas station on Washington Street in Middletown.
Police obtained search warrant for Morgan’s room at America’s Best Value Inn and searched the room.
May 7: Morgan turns himself in.
Posted Saturday, Jul 18, 2009 - 6:11 PM EST
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