Lamar Johnson has been in prison for almost 28 years - and is innocent. Only now does the court see it that way and acquit him. "I feel very blessed," Johnson said afterwards. He is excited about what awaits him: "I want to live again."
A Missouri judge has acquitted a man convicted of murder who has been in prison for almost three decades. As the "New York Times" reports, 49-year-old Lamar Johnson was extremely moved afterwards: "I was overjoyed when he read the text," he said in an interview afterwards. "I feel very blessed and I am very blessed".
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey subsequently stated that "the court has spoken" and that no further action would be taken in the case. One of Johnson's attorneys, Lindsay Runnels, while praising the right court decision, said, "It shouldn't have taken this long." She also regretted that Johnson is unlikely to be entitled to compensation. However, she referred to a donation page that had been set up for him. After almost 28 years in prison, he has no savings.
Johnson was convicted in 1995 of the 1995 murder of Marcus Boyd, who was shot dead on his porch by two masked men a year earlier. Police and prosecutors assumed a dispute over drug money. However, Johnson stated that he and his girlfriend were not near the crime scene at the time of the crime. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Later, the only key witness recanted his testimony against Johnson. In addition, two other men confessed to the crime and claimed they were solely responsible for the crime. More than 30 prosecutors voted in 2019 to reopen the case. The Missouri Supreme Court, however, denied the request. Ultimately, however, the growing concerns led to the state passing a law in August 2021 that made it easier for prosecutors to obtain new hearings if new evidence was found.
After his acquittal, Johnson reportedly went out to eat with his legal team and spent the night in a hotel. Next, he's looking forward to spending time with his family, he said, and looking forward to learning how to use smartphones. Another big event awaits him in April: he wants to lead his youngest daughter down the aisle at her wedding. "I want to try everything," he said. "I want to live again."
(This article was first published on Thursday, February 16, 2023.)
