By Nathaly Evertsz
BONAIRE / SABA — The case surrounding the murder of Saba firefighter Sheldon Johnson is going to appeal. Both convicted men have made it clear that they maintain their innocence and have therefore appealed the judgment of the Court of First Instance.
The court sentenced Anthony Wilson to 28 years in prison and Rudolfo Van Heiningen to 21 years for their involvement in Johnson’s murder. Wilson was also convicted of the attempted murder of Carti, Johnson’s partner, and of drug possession.
The hearing that took place was pro forma. The case was therefore not examined on its merits. The hearing focused primarily on further planning and procedural matters leading up to the substantive hearing.
Hearing held remotely
As was the case during the proceedings at first instance, the hearing again made use of a video connection with the courthouses on Saba and Sint Maarten.
The three judges of the Court of Justice were seated in Curaçao. The Prosecutor General and the defense attorney were in Sint Maarten. The two convicted men were present in Bonaire.
Although the hearing took place across several locations, the parties involved were able to participate through the video connection.
“I am innocent”
Both convicted men continue to maintain that they had nothing to do with the murder. The appeal was filed precisely because they do not agree with the judgment of the Court of First Instance.
The appeal will once again focus on the role the two men played in the fatal shooting on September 12, 2025, on Saba.
During the trial at first instance, both men denied any involvement. They maintained that they had merely seen a mysterious “shadow man.”
The court, however, reached a different conclusion. According to the judge, the so-called “shadow man” seen on the camera footage was Anthony Wilson. Gunshot residue was found on his clothing, backpack and glove.
The court also did not consider Rudolfo Van Heiningen to have merely provided assistance after the fact. The judge concluded that both men acted together and coordinated their actions.
Where will the substantive hearing take place?
During the pro-forma hearing, an important question once again came to the fore: where will the substantive appeal hearing take place? The possibility of holding the proceedings on Saba was discussed again, but no final decision has yet been made. The Court indicated that it is aware of the discussion and of the wishes of the parties involved.
A hearing on Saba is theoretically possible, but, among other things, security concerns mean that this location is not automatically the preferred option. The judge indicated that the wishes and arguments of the parties first need to be considered further.
December 10th is the next step
The next important date is December 10th 2026, when another case-management hearing will take place. By then, the parties are expected to have further developed their requests and any plans for additional investigation.
The substantive hearing of the appeal is provisionally scheduled for spring 2027.
Where that hearing will ultimately take place has not yet been decided.
For the two convicted men, however, their position is clear: they maintain that they are innocent and continue to challenge their convictions. The pro-forma hearing was therefore primarily another step in preparing for a substantive hearing that is not expected to take place until next year.
