Man to Stand Trial in Northridge Killing

A Pasadena computer technician Friday was ordered to stand trial on a first-degree murder charge in the death of a securities broker who was killed last year outside a Northridge delicatessen.

Marva DeCarlo Johnson, 30, could face the death sentence if convicted in the killing of John Collett, 29, of Agoura Hills, because the prosecution alleges that the victim was killed for financial gain.

Collett was shot in the head at point-blank range on Oct. 28, 1991, about 1:30 p.m. outside Brent’s Deli.

Johnson will be arraigned March 16 in San Fernando Superior Court.

Michael Hadow, an investment adviser who had become Johnson’s business mentor, testified during Friday’s preliminary hearing that on the day of the shooting, Johnson met him in his office. Johnson said he had “a $30,000 payment,” Hadow said.

Hadow also testified that the day after Johnson was arrested, Johnson called Hadow from jail and told Hadow to get rid of a package he had in his office. The package turned out to be a gun wrapped in plastic, which Hadow turned over to police.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Dver said the gun is believed to be the murder weapon, and that the money Johnson had the day of the shooting was payment for the murder. But Dver would not say who paid Johnson, or why the murder was committed.