CLEVELAND — Viktor Vendler, the 22-year-old suspect accused of murdering 74-year-old Leroy Johnston at a park in Strongsville in September 2023, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges including aggravated murder and kidnapping.
Vendler appeared before a Cuyahoga County judge Monday morning, five days after a grand jury indicted Vendler on the following charges:
- Two counts of aggravated murder
- One count of kidnapping
- One count of tampering with evidence
- One count of gross abuse of a corpse
Vendler was represented by a lawyer who entered the suspect's not guilty plea. The judge continued Vendler's bond at $1 million. The suspect was ordered to have no contact with Johnston's family.
Officials say that on Sept. 24, 2023, Vendler allegedly lured Johnston to the Mill Stream Run Reservation near the Royalview Picnic Shelter in Strongsville. Vendler allegedly shot the victim in the head and fled the scene.
Johnston's body was discovered on Sept. 30, 2023, with a gunshot wound in a remote wooded area at Mill Stream Run Reservation. Police say that the investigation revealed that Vendler and Johnston were allegedly acquaintances. Vendler was arrested on May 28.
On Monday, the judge noted Vendler had a misdemeanor warrant out of South Euclid. Court records show Vendler was charged with theft in March and was charged with failure to appear in court.
Vendler will be back in court for a pre-trial hearing on June 17.
3News Digital Producer Anna Meyer contributed to this report.