Court Reverses Conviction and Death Sentence of Jesse Johnson

News

By Alyssa Wilson Published: October 8, 2021

Court Reverses Conviction and Death Sentence of Jesse Johnson

This undated file photo provided by the Oregon Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Jesse Johnson. Oregon's court of appeals on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, reversed Johnson's murder conviction, saying his attorney at trial failed to interview a witness whose testimony could have changed the course of the trial. (Oregon Department of Corrections via AP, File)

In Summary

Oregon's court of appeals has overturned the conviction and death sentence for a Black man after racism allegedly played a role in the case.

The murder conviction and death sentence of Jesse Johnson has been reversed.

According to the Associated Press, Oregon’s court of appeals made the decision after Johnson’s defense team failed to interview a key witness in the case. Johnson was accused of stabbing 28-year-old Harriet Thompson in her home in 1998.

Johnson has repeatedly claimed his innocence and did not take a plea deal. His attorney for his appeal, Ryan O’Connor, said racism and police misconduct played a role in the case. He shared the news of the overturned conviction with Johnson over the phone.

“He’s happy. It feels like it’s long overdue,” O’Connor said. “He’s been in prison for a long time for something he didn’t do. He said this is what he’s been waiting for.”

The ruling from the court of appeals does not mean Johnson will immediately be a free man. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum can appeal the ruling to the state’s Supreme Court. If the case does not make it to the state’s highest court, then the Marion County district attorney can dismiss the charges or order a new trial.

The Innocence Project is also involved in the case. None of Johnson’s DNA was on any evidence tested from the murder. The Oregon chapter of the organization is asking the court to allow for more DNA testing.