Violet Ellison News Today

Toforest Johnson was convicted of capital murder in 1998 for the 1995 death of Jefferson County Deputy William Hardy. He's maintained his innocence and is seeking a new trial.

Toforest Johnson should not be on death row.

The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to review the case of Alabama death row inmate Toforest Johnson, whose 1998 murder conviction has drawn criticism from advocates and prosecutors, including a former Alabama attorney general. The justices dismissed Johnson’s petition for a writ of certiorari without comment. Johnson has other appeals pending.

Toforest Johnson has long maintained his innocence in the 1995 Birmingham shooting, and now the U.S. Supreme Court is deciding whether to review his case.

The U.S. Supreme Court justices have reviewed the case before. In 2017, the court ruled in favor of Johnson, sending the case back to the state.

His lawyers say prosecutors paid $5,000 to a key witness without informing the defense. A former AG says Johnson is innocent, "trapped" on death row.

His lawyers say prosecutors paid $5,000 to a key witness without informing the defense. A former AG says Johnson is innocent, \

His lawyers say prosecutors paid $5,000 to a key witness without informing the defense. A former AG says Johnson is innocent, \

Alabama Court Hears Appeal in Toforest Johnson Death Row Case Toforest Johnson. (Source: Beth Shelburne) By Beth Shelburne | April 14, 2021 at 3:23 PM CDT - Updated April 14 at 3:23 PM BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Lawyers for Toforest Johnson, a man on Alabama’s death row, argued in the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Tuesday that Johnson should receive a new trial because the prosecution failed to disclose evidence favorable to the defense at trial. “Toforest Johnson is on death...

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A number of former judges and prosecutors — including two previous Alabama chief justices and a state attorney general — have joined those seeking a new trial for a death row inmate amid questions about his conviction more than 20 years ago. Former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley, former chief justices Sonny Hornsby and Drayton Nabers and several former judges and prosecutors have submitted briefs supporting a new trial for Toforest Johnson who was convicted o...