Two men appeal convictions in Sheldon Johnson murder case
Anthony Wilson and Rudolfo Van Heiningen are appealing convictions over the Friday 12 September 2025 shooting of Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson.
Anthony Wilson and Rudolfo Van Heiningen are appealing their convictions in the killing of Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson. The Court of First Instance sentenced Wilson to 28 years in prison and Van Heiningen to 21 years, according to the Court of Justice. Johnson was killed in a shooting on Saba on Friday 12 September 2025.
Both men continue to maintain their innocence, the Court of Justice said. Wilson was also convicted of the attempted murder of Johnson’s partner, Carti, and drug possession.
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The pro-forma appeal hearing addressed planning and procedural matters and did not examine the case on its merits. Another case-management hearing is scheduled for 10 December 2026, when the parties are expected to develop requests and plans for further investigation. A merits hearing is provisionally scheduled for spring 2027.
Three Court of Justice judges participated from Curaçao. The Prosecutor General and defence attorney were in Sint Maarten, while Wilson and Van Heiningen were in Bonaire. Video links also connected courthouses on Saba and Sint Maarten.
The Court of Justice discussed whether the merits hearing could take place on Saba, but made no final decision. The court said it would consider the parties’ wishes and arguments, including security concerns. In the first-instance case, the court concluded that the person shown in camera footage was Wilson and said gunshot residue was found on his clothing, backpack and glove. The court also concluded that Wilson and Van Heiningen acted together and coordinated their actions.
File photo: Joe Gratz / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 · cropped, SXM Today mark added
