Landlord Accused of Killing Plumber Over Rent Dispute Faces Trial

A landlord is accused of abducting, shooting, and beating to death a plumber over a rent dispute totaling more than $2,200, a court in Victoria has heard. Steven Frederick Johnson, 74, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.

Christopher Jarvis, 38, disappeared from his home in Wangoom on June 13, 2006. The burnt-out remains of his car were later discovered in nearby Warrnambool. His body has never been found.

During the first day of his trial, the jury was told that Johnson, Jarvis's landlord and neighbor, had initiated legal proceedings to evict Jarvis over allegations of unpaid rent. The court heard that Jarvis had counter-claimed for unpaid plumbing work he had performed for Johnson.

The Crown prosecutor alleged that Johnson recruited an unnamed associate to help confront Jarvis on the morning he disappeared. The prosecutor claims Johnson struck Jarvis from behind with a starter pistol, causing him to fall. Johnson then allegedly placed the pistol in Jarvis's ear and pulled the trigger, causing bleeding. The two men are then accused of placing the still-living Jarvis into the boot of his own car and driving him to Framlingham Forest.

In the forest, the prosecution alleges, Johnson dragged Jarvis from the car, removed his clothing, and retrieved a baseball bat. Johnson then allegedly used the bat to strike Jarvis's head with force, killing him. The two men are then accused of burying Jarvis in a shallow grave before driving Jarvis's car to Thunder Point and setting it on fire.

Detectives interviewed Johnson voluntarily in November 2022, during which he confirmed renting a property to Jarvis and that rent payments had become irregular. He also stated that he had graded his driveway with a bulldozer on the morning Jarvis disappeared, claiming it was to attract attention.

Recordings from listening devices installed in Johnson's friend's unit captured a conversation days later. Johnson allegedly remarked, "The s***s hit the fan a little bit," and expressed significant worry. Later interactions with his friend involved requests to leave his phone behind.

Search warrants reportedly uncovered a box containing a 9mm imitation P38 pistol and ammunition. Johnson was charged with murder in late 2022, though the charge was temporarily discontinued before being reinstated.

During the defense, Johnson's barrister urged the jury to maintain an open mind and respect the presumption of innocence. He emphasized that the prosecution's case relied heavily on the testimony of Johnson's friend and questioned the credibility of this witness, as well as the police investigation's vigor and potential bias.

The trial is ongoing before Justice Andrew Tinney.