TRIAL ordered in fatal shooting

<br>MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ A 19-year-old Muskogee man will face trial on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a woman. <br><br>Dewayne Johnson was bound over Friday by Special District

Saturday, June 16th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ A 19-year-old Muskogee man will face trial on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a woman.

Dewayne Johnson was bound over Friday by Special District Judge Robin Adair after the final day of a preliminary hearing. He will be arraigned on July 19.

Johnson is accused of the July 2000 death of Janet Russell, a community volunteer and longtime employee of the well-known Jasper's Restaurant. Johnson also is charged with stealing Russell's vehicle.

He and other men were arrested last year after a car chase that ended in Muldrow.

Lonnie Murphy III, was charged in connection with the slaying, but the charge was later dropped when he agreed to testify against Johnson.

During a February hearing date, Murphy testified Johnson arrived at his house the morning after the Russell slaying and was driving a vehicle later identified as Russell's.

Murphy also said he saw Johnson fire a weapon and kill another man a day before Russell was killed. Murphy returned to prison for violating his probation on several felony convictions.

Corey Smith testified Johnson asked him to accompany him and Murphy to Arkansas and to help sell Russell's vehicle.

They couldn't find a buyer and returned to Oklahoma before the police chase began, Smith said.