East St. Louis Man Found Guilty In Collinsville Murder

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.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Maricle, chief of the Violent Crimes Division at the State’s Attorney’s Office, and Assistant State’s Attorney Luke Yager, who is assigned to the same division.

According to evidence presented by prosecutors, Johnson admitted to investigators that he was hired by two co-defendants to kill Rowland and was offered $10,000, Haine said.

Collinsville Police responded to Rowland’s home on Olive Street at about 6 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2025, for a report of gunshots, according to an evidence stipulation. Rowland was found in the driveway and had suffered multiple gunshots, the stipulation said.

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The investigation included an extensive review of video surveillance and data from license-plate readers across the region, according to the stipulation.

Two co-defendants remain in the Madison County Jail awaiting trial, Haine said.

Sammy J. Shafer Jr., 37, of Caseyville, is charged with first-degree murder and solicitation of murder. The charges allege that Shafer, or someone for whom he is legally accountable, shot Rowland, resulting in her death, and that Shafer encouraged or requested another defendant to murder the victim.

Marty D. Shaw, 34, of Collinsville, is charged with first-degree murder. The charge alleges that Shaw, or a person for whom he is legally accountable, shot the victim, resulting in her death.

According to an evidence stipulation, Rowland was in a relationship with Shafer’s wife, and Shafer and his wife were going through a divorce.

Haine also commended the prosecutors.

“This verdict reflects the evidence and the dedication of our prosecution team,” Haine said. “This is a complex case, and today’s outcome is the result of countless hours of preparation.”

Johnson will be sentenced later, Haine said. With certain sentencing enhancements, he faces up to life in prison.

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