Timothy Johnson: Innocent Man Released from GA Death Row After 29 Years

Timothy Johnson has been released after having spent 29 years on Georgia's death row. Death Penalty Information Center carried the following information about Johnson:

Timothy Johnson was acquitted of murder charges and released from prison in Georgia on December 5, twenty-nine years after being charged with a murder and robbery at a convenience store. Johnson had originally pled guilty to the crimes in exchange for the prosecution's agreement not to seek the death penalty. The Georgia Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2006 because he was not properly informed of his constitutional protection against self-incrimination and his right to confront witnesses against him. The jury deliberated for only about an hour before rendering the acquittal. His family greeted him upon his release. “My heart is overwhelmed for him,” said his uncle, Willie Wilson. “I’m just elated.”

(B. Purser, "After 29 years in jail, Timothy Johnson is free," Macon Telegraph, December 6, 2013). See Innocence and Arbitrariness. The case illustrates the danger of using the death penalty as a plea-bargaining incentive. Defendants sometimes plead guilty to a crime they did not commit in order to avoid the possibility of a death sentence.

See the next article in the Davis/MacPhail Truth Committee blog, "Democide: Government Murders" at
http://dmtruth.blogspot.com/2013/12/democide-government-murders.html

Johnson hugs his family and gives thanks to God after winning prison release after 29 years of death row.

The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) provides valuable information on death row inmates and their cases. It also offers historical information and statistics about capital punishment in the USA. I highly recommend DPIC for persons and corporations making a list or worthy organizations to receive charitable contributions this holiday season. A PayPal depository is on its website at http://deathpenaltyinfo.org/donate-dpic

Death Penalty Information Center
1015 18th Street NW, Suite 704 | Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-289-2275 | Fax: 202-289-7336
Email: dpic@deathpenaltyinfo.org

The Death Penalty Information Center is a national non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on issues concerning capital punishment. Founded in 1990, the Center promotes informed discussion of the death penalty by preparing in-depth reports, conducting briefings for journalists, and serving as a resource to those working on this issue. Please direct media inquiries to Elaine de Leon, Communications Director, at 202-289-4022 or edeleon@deathpenaltyinfo.org.

Mary Neal, director of

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