Aaron James Johnson, 40, appeared in Halifax provincial court via a video link from jail Monday on a charge of second-degree murder in the Nov. 26 killing of Troy Clayton. The case will return to court Jan. 2. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentA man charged in a homicide in Halifax last week appeared in provincial court Monday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAaron James Johnson, 40, faces a charge of second-degree murder in the Nov. 28 killing of Troy Edward William Clayton, 59, who was injured Nov. 26 during an incident on Gottingen Street.Article contentArticle contentClayton, of Halifax, was transported to hospital, where he died from his injuries. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and determined the death was a homicide.Article contentArticle contentJohnson, of no fixed address, was arrested Friday.Article contentIn addition to the murder charge, he faces two counts each of break and enter and possession of stolen property worth under $5,000 and single counts of trespassing at night, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats.Article contentThose offences are alleged to have been committed Friday.Article contentJohnson was arraigned by a justice of the peace on the weekend and appeared in Halifax provincial court Monday via a video link from jail.Article contentDuty counsel Lonny Queripel asked that all the charges against Johnson be put over until Jan. 2 to give him time to retain a lawyer.Article contentIf Johnson wants bail on the murder charge, he will have to make an application in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. He consented to remain in custody on the rest of the charges.Article contentArticle contentAt the request of the Crown, Judge Pamela Williams ordered Johnson to have no contact with 13 individuals whose names were read out in court.Article contentArticle contentHalifax Regional Police responded Nov. 26 at about 11:10 a.m. to a report of an injured man in the 2400 block of Gottingen Street.Article contentPolice have said they do not believe the incident was random.Article contentVictim had ’76 other criminal convictions since 1984′Article contentIn February 2021, Clayton pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2017 death of Benjamin Lokeny following a one-punch assault on a Halifax sidewalk and received a six-year prison sentence.Article contentClayton was arrested in March 2019 and charged with second-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence shortly before trial.Article contentThe judge credited Clayton with 1,016 days for his time on remand, leaving him with a net term of three years and 78 days.Article contentThe court was told Clayton had 76 other criminal convictions since 1984, including at least six for assault.
Accused in Nov. 26 homicide appears in Halifax provincial court on murder charge
