Missouri Circuit Court Judge Overturns Conviction of Lamar Johnson After 28 Years in Prison for a Crime He Did Not Commit

On Tuesday, a Missouri Circuit Court Judge overturned the conviction of Lamar Johnson, who has been serving a life sentence for nearly 28 years for a killing he has always said he didn’t commit. Judge David Mason ruled that Johnson’s trial included “constitutional error” and said “there is clear and convincing evidence that Johnson is innocent.”

Johnson was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1995 after being convicted of murder in the death of Markus Boyd the year prior. Last year, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner filed a motion saying Johnson’s conviction was based in large part on false eyewitness testimony and accusing prosecutors and investigators of misconduct.

At the hearing on Tuesday, Judge Mason issued his ruling and Johnson closed his eyes and shook his head slightly as a member of his legal team patted him on the back. Johnson’s attorneys expressed their relief and joy at the ruling, saying that it was a long-awaited victory for justice.

The ruling is a major victory for Johnson and his legal team, who have been fighting for his exoneration for years. Johnson is now free after nearly three decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. His attorneys are hopeful that this ruling will be a step towards justice for other wrongfully convicted individuals.