Missouri woman freed after 43 years after murder conviction overturned - The Guardian US

A Missouri woman has been released from prison after 43 years behind bars, her murder conviction overturned by a judge who ruled that prosecutors withheld evidence from her trial. The judge, Kevin Crane, overturned the conviction of Lamar Johnson, 50, after a hearing on Monday. Johnson had been sentenced to life without parole for the 1981 shooting of a St Louis shopkeeper, but always maintained his innocence. The Missouri attorney general’s office had opposed Johnson’s bid for a new trial. However, in January, the state’s supreme court ruled that Johnson should be allowed to present his case to a judge. The judge’s decision came after a lengthy legal battle that included new evidence suggesting that the real killer was a man who was already in prison for a murder that took place three months after Johnson was convicted. Johnson was freed on Monday afternoon after more than four decades behind bars. He was greeted by a cheering crowd of supporters outside the courthouse. “I’m thankful to God and the people who supported me,” Johnson told reporters. “I never lost faith that the truth would come out.” “This is a victory for justice, for truth, and for the rule of law,” said Johnson’s attorney, Erin Moriarty. “It’s also a victory for Lamar, who spent 43 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.” Johnson’s case is the latest in a string of high-profile wrongful convictions in Missouri. In recent years, several people have been exonerated after spending decades in prison. The case has also raised questions about the reliability of eyewitness testimony and the role of prosecutorial misconduct in wrongful convictions. “This case is a reminder that the justice system is not perfect,” said Moriarty. “But it also shows that there is hope for those who have been wrongfully convicted.”

Summary

"Lamar Johnson's release after 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit is a significant victory for justice. The case highlights the issue of wrongful convictions and the importance of continued efforts to ensure fairness and accuracy within the justice system. Johnson's freedom is a testament to the tireless work of his legal team, the persistence of his supporters, and the power of truth to prevail, even after decades of injustice."

Updated at: 06.17.2024