Claudia Banton on Trial for the Execution Style Killing of Delia Johnson

 

Claudia Banton after extradition to New York in November 2021

March 20, 2025, BROOKLYN -- Claudia Banton, 42, appeared in court charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly shooting Delia Johnson in the back of the head as she chatted with people by a stoop in August. The motive for the killing has been reported as jealousy over the victims business success.

Banton refused to answer questions when led from the 77th Precinct stationhouse the morning of her arraignment in downtown Brooklyn. She entered a plea of not guilty.

Prosecutors in court claimed Banton "shot the victim point blank in the head." They also said Banton was pulled over right after the shooting, but at the time police didn't realize they were looking for a female suspect and released her.

Banton, who also goes by the names Claudia Williams and Kiesha Brown, was picked up by police in Jacksonville, Florida --- more than three months after the killing in Crown Heights that was caught on camera.

Surveillance video of the shooting previously released by police showed a woman in black leggings get out of a double-parked white sedan and casually shoot Johnson in the head as she chatted with a group of people by a stoop.

The shooter calmly walked back to the car with her purse on her shoulder and drove off, police said. Johnson was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Banton previously spent over seven years in a Georgia prison for forgery and has been prior felony convictions in that state as well as New Jersey.

Case Summary

Case Number: IND-73632-21/001

Court: Kings Supreme Criminal Court

Arrest Date: November 18, 2021
Incident Date: August 04, 2021

TRIAL DATE: MARCH 4, 2025 
Charges:

PL 125.25 01 Murder: Intention
PL 265.03 01B Cpw-2nd: Loaded Firearm
PL 265.03 03 Cpw-2nd: Loaded Firearm