POUGHKEEPSIE – Roy Johnson Jr., 36, the “Courtyard Killer,” was sentenced to 58 1/2 years to life in prison on Monday by Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin. Johnson was convicted of the October 2022 murder of Paul Kutz,56, in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in the Town of Poughkeepsie on May 11, 2023.
Convicted as a felon with a violent history, McLoughlin sentenced Johnson to a lengthy prison term after he was convicted of murder for the death of Kutz, along with four weapons charges and reckless endangerment for the number of potential victims were present in the hotel the day Johnson had a “deranged tantrum,” according to Judge McLoughlin.
Johnson’s criminal prosecution continues. He was arraigned in April of this year for murder and two counts of robbery of Darren Villani. Johnson, along with his Courtyard co-conspirator Devin Taylor, were both accused of killing and then robbing the victim in August of 2022 at the intersection of Manision and Bement Streets in the City of Poughkeepsie. Taylor already pled guilty to the murder of Villani.
Johnson will stand trial for the murder of Darren Villani on September 11, 2023.
