A MAN who has been awaiting trial on a murder charge for the past decade intends to seek a stay in his case from the Supreme Court.

Leo Roderick Johnson, 50, who is scheduled to stand trial next month for the August 19, 2006, murder of Ericka Fowler, appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs yesterday for a status hearing into his case.

Johnson is accused of intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of 33-year-old Ms. Fowler, a mother of five, who was fatally stabbed in the heart by a man with whom she had been in an on/off relationship. Ms. Fowler, who was working at The Tribune as assistant librarian and archivist, was killed in front of her home on Comet Terrace in the Golden Gates area.

Algernon Allen II indicated yesterday that the Crown is ready to proceed with the matter.

However, Johnson’s lawyer, Nathan Smith, indicated his client’s intent to file a constitutional motion given the length of time that has elapsed since his arraignment and his trial date, which is fixed for October 24.

If the motion is filed in the Supreme Court, the application would have to be heard before the commencement of trial.

By Lamech Johnson, Tribune Staff Reporter

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