PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 6, 2007

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

D.A. Donovan: Indictment Unsealed in May ’06 Shooting of Ganas Commune Leader
*** Rebekah Johnson, 44, Enters Not-Guilty Plea to Attempted Murder & Related Charges for May 29, 2006 Shooting of Jeff Gross ***

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that a not- guilty plea has been entered by Rebekah Johnson, (DOB: 2/13/63) of Jersey Street, following the unsealing of an indictment in State Supreme Court charging her with one count each of Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, Assault in the 1st Degree, both class B felonies, as well as Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree and 3rd degrees, class C and D felonies respectively.

Johnson was ordered held without bail by Justice Leonard P. Rienzi pending her next court appearance on September 24, 2007. The top count of the indictment, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison.

The indictment alleges that shortly before midnight on May 29, 2006, Johnson fired multiple gunshots striking Jeff Gross, 52, in front of his residence at 127 Corson Avenue, the site of the Ganas Commune Compound. Mr. Gross was struck in his neck, arm and chest. Ms. Johnson was arrested on June 18, 2007, at the corner of 56th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was returned to New York City to appear on the indictment this morning.

“I am grateful that we were able to return Rebekah Johnson to this community to face the allegations that she attempted to fatally shoot Mr. Gross over a year ago,” stated District Attorney Donovan, “The combined efforts of law enforcement agencies across the country, as well as continuing media attention, ensured that this case would not fade from memory and Ms. Johnson would not elude justice.”

The case against Rebekah Johnson is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kelly Carroll of the Supreme Court Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Paul A. Capofari, Supreme Court Bureau Chief.
The defendant is represented by Stanford Bandelli, Esq.

The public is reminded than an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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