Murder of Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson heads to appeal — both convicts deny guilt
Anthony Wilson (28 years) and Rudolfo Van Heiningen (21 years) have appealed their convictions. The substantive hearing is provisionally set for spring 2027.
Sheldon Johnson murder appeal: convicted men contest sentences in court
The murder case involving Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson is heading to the Court of Justice on appeal, 721news Sint Maarten reports. Both convicted men — Anthony Wilson and Rudolfo Van Heiningen — have formally challenged the verdict of the Court of First Instance, each maintaining they had no involvement in the killing.
The Court of First Instance sentenced Wilson to 28 years in prison and Van Heiningen to 21 years. Wilson was additionally convicted of the attempted murder of Carti, Johnson's partner, and of drug possession.
The hearing held this week was pro forma in nature. No examination of the merits of the case took place; the session focused on scheduling and procedural arrangements ahead of the substantive appeal.
Multi-island proceedings via video link
As was the case during the first-instance trial, the hearing relied on video connections between courthouses across several islands. The three judges of the Court of Justice sat in Curaçao. The Prosecutor General and the defence attorney were present in Sint Maarten. Both convicted men attended from Bonaire.
Despite the geographic spread, all parties were able to participate fully through the video connection.
"Shadow man" defence rejected at first instance
The appeal will revisit the events of September 12, 2025, when Johnson was fatally shot on Saba. During the original trial, both men denied any role in the shooting. They maintained they had seen nothing more than a mysterious "shadow man."
The Court of First Instance rejected that account. The judge concluded that the "shadow man" visible on camera footage was in fact Anthony Wilson, based in part on gunshot residue found on his clothing, backpack and glove. Van Heiningen was not found to have merely assisted after the fact; the court determined the two men acted together in a coordinated manner.
Both men continue to dispute those findings. Their appeals were filed specifically because they do not accept the judgment against them.
Location of appeal hearing still undecided
A question that surfaced during the original proceedings resurfaced at the pro-forma hearing: where will the substantive appeal take place? Holding the hearing on Saba was again discussed, but no final decision has been reached. The Court acknowledged awareness of the debate and of the preferences expressed by parties involved.
A Saba hearing is legally possible, but security considerations mean the island is not the automatic choice. The judge indicated that the arguments and requests of all parties must be weighed before a location is confirmed.
Next steps: December case management, spring 2027 hearing
The next significant date is December 10, 2026, when a further case-management hearing is scheduled. By that date, parties are expected to have developed their requests and any plans for additional investigation in greater detail.
The substantive appeal hearing is provisionally scheduled for spring 2027. Where it will ultimately be held remains undecided.
For Wilson and Van Heiningen, their position is unchanged: both insist they are innocent and intend to continue contesting their convictions through the appeal process.
Source: 721news Sint Maarten