“Courtyard Killer” arraigned on additional charges

POUGHKEEPSIE – Accused “Courtyard Killer” Roy Johnson Jr., 35, was arraigned Wednesday in Dutchess County Court on a superseding indictment with the additional charges of attempted murder pertaining to a hotel employee, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and a second count of murder relating to the death of Paul Kutz on October 2 at the Courtyard Marriott on South Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Johnson was originally arraigned before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin on October 14, 2022, on felony murder and weapons possession charges.  His accomplice was also arraigned the same day.  Devin Taylor, 28, was arraigned on three felony weapons charges.

According to District Attorney William Grady, “This superseding indictment is a product of
additional evidence that was developed subsequent to the initial grand jury presentation into the tragedy that occurred at the Courtyard Marriott on October 2, 2022.”

Judge McLoughlin continued the remand of the defendant without bail and the case was adjourned to January 20, 2023, for further proceedings.

Johnson is facing 50 years in prison if convicted of the charges contained in the indictment.