Man on Alabama’s death row for murder of deputy says he’s innocent
Toforest Johnson asks for new trial due to prosecutorial misconduct
Published Tuesday June 4, 2019
By Beth Shelburne
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Toforest Johnson has escaped death before. At 17, he was shot in the chest in a drive-by shooting. Throughout his teens, seven people he knew were murdered, including his girlfriend. His abusive father once fired a shotgun at him while he ran away in fear.
After 21 years on Alabama’s death row for a crime he says he did not commit, Johnson is hoping to avoid death again. His attorneys have asked that his death sentence be vacated and Johnson receive a new trial, based on the prosecutor’s doubts about Johnson’s guilt and a $5000 reward paid to a key witness that only came to light this year.
The state has asked the court to deny the motion to vacate Johnson’s death sentence.