Alabama governor commutes death sentence of murder convict

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:44 · Archive

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted Toforest Johnson's death sentence to life without parole, citing insufficient direct evidence.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted Toforest Johnson's death sentence 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 whilst working off-duty security at a hotel. Johnson has long maintained his innocence and said he was on the other side of town at the time of the shooting.

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 doubts raised by former public officials and the current district attorney about the conviction. Ivey, a Republican, has overseen 27 executions during her time as governor and has now commuted three death sentences.

Toforest Johnson's attorney Ty Alper said they are grateful to Ivey for the decision and that the legal fight will continue. 'Toforest Johnson is innocent. Now it is up to the courts to overturn his conviction and grant him a new trial,' Alper said. The case has garnered national attention and was the subject of a podcast.

How it is being reported

• Alabama governor commutes sentence of prisoner on death rowToforest Johnson’s death penalty reduced to life in prison without parole over doubts about his conviction Toforest Johnson, an Alabama death row inmate, will no longer face execution after the state’s Republican governor commuted his sentence amid increasing doubts about his conviction. Kay Ivey, the Alabama governor, commuted Johnson’s sentence to life in prison without parole in the 1995 murder of William Hardy, a Jefferson county deputy sheriff. Johnson has long maintained he is innocent, and several former public officials, as well the local district attorney, have argued he should…Guardian World · 21 Oct, 00:18
• 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 paroleIndependent World · 20 Oct, 23:17
• Alabama governor commutes death sentence of man convicted of 1995 murderAlabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she was commuting Toforest Johnson's death sentence to life in prison without parole.CBS News · 20 Oct, 22:35

In this story: Kay Ivey · Toforest Johnson · William Hardy · Alabama · Jefferson County

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