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$2 million bond for man accused of killing landlord

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – One of the two men alleged to be involved in the shooting death of a Columbus area landlord appeared in court Saturday morning.

Maurice E. Watkins, 33, was arrested Friday, accused of murdering 50-year-old Joseph P. Remlinger.


A Franklin County Municipal Court judge set bond for Watkins at $2 million.

According to Columbus police, Watkins shot and killed Remlinger during a dispute about overdue rent.

Court records show that Remlinger was in the process of evicting Watkins from a Grasmere Avenue home for being several months behind on rent.

A second person, 25-year-old Pierre Williams is accused of setting a fire in a nearby garage to help destroy evidence of the murder. Williams has not yet appeared in court.What others are clicking on: