Man Testifies He Saw Defendant Holding Gun After Broker Slain

A Pasadena computer technician was identified in court Wednesday as the person who shot and killed a securities broker outside a Northridge delicatessen last year.

John Mazurko, who was sitting in a parked car when the shooting occurred, said he saw Marva DeCarlo Johnson, 29, talking with John J. Collett for about 10 minutes Oct. 28 outside Brent’s Deli.

Mazurko said he had turned away for a few seconds when he heard a gunshot. He said he quickly turned back and saw Johnson, holding a gun, standing over the other man. Mazurko said Johnson then briskly walked to a waiting car and sped off. Mazurko was one of three witnesses who testified in the first day of a preliminary hearing to determine if Johnson will be held for trial. The hearing will continue Friday when Judge Juelann K. Cathey will decide if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Walter Petrovsky, who was standing less than 10 yards from where the shooting took place, said he heard gunshots and saw a man he could not identify holding Collett in a headlock.

He then saw the man fire twice into Collett’s head.

“All of a sudden, blood gushed out of the top of his head,” Petrovsky said.

Larry Mesa also could not identify Johnson as the killer, but said Johnson fit the description of the man he saw quickly leave in a car.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Dver said Johnson was hired to kill Collett, 29, but has declined to say by whom or for how much money.

Collett had been under investigation by state officials on suspicion of defrauding investors by illegally selling partnerships in oil and gas ventures.

Johnson has been charged with first-degree murder.