Alabama governor spares death row inmate over evidence doubts
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:32 · Archive
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson to life without parole, citing insufficient evidence.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson to life in prison without parole on Tuesday. Johnson was convicted of the 1995 murder of Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff William Hardy, who was shot twice in the head while working off-duty security at a hotel.
Ivey said she had concerns that there was not enough direct evidence to carry out the death penalty. 'My decision is not a determination of innocence, but a recognition that the circumstances of this case justify commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment, without possibility of parole,' Ivey said. The commutation followed concerns raised by former public officials and the current district attorney about Johnson's conviction.
Johnson has long maintained his innocence and has said he was on the other side of town at the time of the shooting. His attorney Ty Alper said they were grateful to Ivey for 'diligently reviewing Toforest's case and taking action to spare an innocent man from execution'. Alper said the legal fight would continue. 'Toforest Johnson is innocent. Now it is up to the courts to overturn his conviction and grant him a new trial,' Alper said.
How it is being reported
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey spares death row inmate, citing doubts about evidenceAlabama Gov. Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson to life in prison without parole.Clickorlando · 20 Oct, 21:03
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey spares death row inmate, citing doubts about evidenceAlabama Gov. Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson to life in prison without parole.News4Jax · 20 Oct, 21:03
In this story: Kay Ivey · Toforest Johnson · William Hardy · Alabama · Jefferson County
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