The capital murder trial of William Chase Johnson, accused of killing Alabama sheriff John “Big John” Williams, ended in a mistrial on Tuesday after jurors were unable to reach a verdict. Johnson is charged with shooting Williams in November 2019, claiming self defense as he did not know Williams was a sheriff at the time. Jurors had the option to return a verdict on charges of murder or manslaughter.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Johnson was the aggressor and shot Williams in anger, while the defense maintained he acted in self defense. Johnson testified that he did not know Williams was a law enforcement officer and that Williams grabbed him by the throat and pointed a gun at him. The jury ultimately remained deadlocked, leading to the mistrial.
Williams, a respected law enforcement officer, was killed at a gas station in Hayneville while trying to disperse a crowd. The 62-year-old sheriff had spent over 40 years in law enforcement and was elected sheriff in 2010. The courthouse in Lowndes County was even renamed in his honor. Johnson, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, now faces a new trial at a later date.
The trial was held in Macon County after a judge ruled that a fair trial could not be held in Lowndes County. The case has sparked intense debate over self defense and the use of force in law enforcement encounters.
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