Man accused of murdering Pelham Police officer to appear at pretrial hearing Thursday, June 10

Published 11:27 am Monday, June 7, 2010

Pretrial proceedings for Bart Wayne Johnson, the 29-year-old man accused of shooting and killing Pelham Police officer Philip Davis on Dec. 3, 2009, are scheduled for Thursday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m. in front of Judge Michael Joiner.

Johnson was originally scheduled to appear at a pretrial hearing Wednesday, May 12, but it was rescheduled for June 10.

Johnson is set to appear in front of Joiner June 10 as District Attorney Robby Owens explains the state’s case against Johnson.

A decision on bond is also expected to be made at the hearing.

Johnson, who is being represented by attorney Charles Salvagio, entered a not guilty plea when he was arraigned March 4.

Johnson has been charged with two counts of capital murder, one count for intentionally killing an on-duty police officer and one count for intentionally causing a death by shooting from an occupied vehicle.

A grand jury handed down the two-count indictment Dec. 4, 2009, just hours after the shooting, and Owens announced that day the state would seek the death penalty.

Davis became the first Pelham Police officer killed in the line of duty in the city’s 45-year history.