Accused killer in Bridgeport rooming house stabbing appears in court
Johnnie Newkirk is charged with murder and evidence tampering in the deadly stabbing of Willesha Riddick, a fellow resident at the rooming house where Newkirk lived.
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A Bridgeport man accused of killing a woman at a local rooming house returned to court Tuesday for the first time since his initial appearance ended in chaos.
Johnnie Newkirk’s hearing at the Bridgeport Judicial District courthouse was brief and uneventful, during which the Office of the Public Defender was appointed to represent him. Newkirk, 51, showed no emotion as he went before the judge charged with murder in the deadly stabbing of 41-year-old Willesha Riddick, of Bridgeport.
It was a far cry from Newkirk's arraignment on June 24, which ended with Riddick’s loved ones confronting him about their loss, then family members of both sides yelling at each other. Several marshals stepped in to separate the groups and keep things from further escalating.
Newkirk and Riddick lived separately at a rooming house in the 300 block of Park Avenue between Atlantic Street and Gregory Street by the University of Bridgeport. That's where police responded June 9 and found Riddick bleeding and unresponsive from multiple stab wounds to her torso.
According to Newkirk's arrest warrant, cameras at the property captured the two arguing on the porch before both went inside the house. The warrant said a few minutes later, Newkirk reappeared, followed soon after by an injured Riddick whose final minutes alive were on video.
"She is writhing and rolling on the floor out of the front door and onto the porch. The Victim gets to her final position on the front steps of the porch, which takes approximately eight minutes," the warrant said.
During an interview with police, Newkirk admitted the two of them got into a fight and were "tussling on the floor," but claimed Riddick initiated it and was the one swinging a knife, per the warrant. He also said Riddick stabbed him, but the warrant noted Newkirk had two scratches above his right eye and on the side of his nose that were, "minor and not consistent with a typical stabbing injury."
Police identified the weapon as a kitchen knife, which they recovered. They said footage showed Newkirk wiping it down, then throwing it by a tree near the house. He faces a charge of tampering with physical evidence, as well.
Newkirk is being held on a $1.5 million bond. His case returns to court July 27.
