Jury Halts Over Weekend With No Verdict in William Chase Johnson Capital Murder Trial

MACON COUNTY, Alabama (WSFA) – The fate of defendant William Chase Johnson is now in the hands of a jury, which is actively deliberating his innocence or guilt in Macon County Court.

Johnson is on trial for the shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff John “Big John” Williams on the night of Nov. 23, 2019.

Both the defense and the prosecution agree that Johnson pulled the trigger, but for different reasons. The prosecution says it was capital murder. The defense says it was self-defense.

Jury deliberations began Thursday, about three weeks after they were presented and selected for trial. Twelve Macon County citizens began discussing the case among themselves behind closed doors.

At the end of the day on Friday, the jury still could not reach a verdict. The judge issued a charge against Allen, urging them to continue deliberations and try to reach a common conclusion if possible. At approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, they told the judge that they had made no progress. Then the jury took a break for the weekend.

Due to another case in court on Monday, the trial will not resume until Tuesday.

During Thursday’s deliberations, the jury had multiple questions for the judge and went to him three times.

The first question concerned the elements of capital murder, leading the judge to reread the charge and how the law defines capital murder.

The second question sought to clarify, from a legal point of view, whether the sheriff was on duty when he went to the Hayneville gas station where he controlled the crowd before being shot. The judge told the jury that he could not answer that question.

The third question was to request a copy of the court transcripts, which the judge said are not available.

While Johnson was charged with capital murder, the judge instructed them on four possible decisions they can make. Those possible verdicts include capital murder, murder, manslaughter, or they could come back and say Johnson is not guilty. However, the jury must first consider the capital murder verdict.

The judge has instructed that if the jury cannot agree on a verdict of capital murder, they may consider the other possible verdicts.

Johnson’s attorneys pressed the jury with claims that their client acted in self-defense, saying the sheriff was choking him with his gun when Johnson shot him. The state says the science doesn’t match Johnson’s story.

If the jury finds Johnson guilty of capital murder, they will also have to decide whether he receives life in prison or the death penalty. If you are convicted of one of the lesser charges, it will be up to the judge to determine the sentence.

The case is being heard in Macon County after a change of venue to ensure Johnson could have a fair trial.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News app? Receive news alerts FASTER and FREE on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Copyright 2024 WSFA. All rights reserved.