Wrong verdict declared in William Chase Johnson murder case

MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – The jury in the capital murder trial of William Chase Johnson returned to the judge, telling him they were unable to reach a verdict. As a result, the judge declared a mistrial.

Johnson stood trial for the murder of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams on November 23, 2019. Both the defense and prosecution agreed that Johnson pulled the trigger, but for different reasons. The prosecution said it was capital murder. The defense said it was self-defense.

A judge ordered a new trial, again in Macon County. The exact date for this trial is not yet known, but it will occur sometime in 2025. The judge also ruled that a gag order barring either party from speaking about the case will remain in place.

Jury deliberations began Thursday, about three weeks after they were brought in and selected for the trial. The judge instructed them on four possible decisions they could make. Among the possible sentences was capital murder, which should have been tried first. There were also the options of murder, manslaughter, or they could come back and say Johnson was innocent.

During deliberations, the jury asked the judge several questions, including:

1. One involves the elements of capital murder, which prompted the judge to reread the charge and how capital murder is defined by law.
2. Another sought legal clarification about whether the sheriff was on duty when he arrived at the Hayneville gas station where he was controlling the crowd before he was shot. The judge instructed the jury that he could not answer that question.
3. Another asked if jurors could get a copy of trial transcripts, which the judge said were not available.
4. The jury asked the judge if he would read the law intentionally.

At the end of the day Friday, the jury reported that they were still unable to reach a verdict, after which the judge charged Allen, urging them to continue deliberations and try to reach a common conclusion if possible. The jury returned Tuesday and told him they were still unable to reach a verdict.

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