EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that an East St. Louis man was found guilty of first-degree murder in what prosecutors described as a murder-for-hire killing of a Collinsville woman.
Following a bench trial Monday in Madison County, Associate Judge Neil Schroeder found Gary D. Johnson, 46, guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Portia Rowland, Haine said. Prosecutors said Rowland was shot the morning of Jan. 21, 2025, outside her home in a residential area of Collinsville.
“I commend the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, the Collinsville Police Department and other agencies for gathering the evidence we were able to submit to the judge, and we appreciate the judge’s thoughtful review of the evidence,” Haine said. “Today’s verdict is an important step toward justice for the friends and family of Portia Rowland, but it is not the finish line. We have a lot of work ahead, and we remain committed to pursuing justice.”…