The community and law enforcement respond to the mistrial of the slain Lowndes County sheriff

TUSKEGEE, Alabama (WSFA) – Years of work, a week of testimony and days of deliberations failed to produce a verdict in the trial of the murder of William Chase Johnson. Judge Burt Rice, after all reported an error Tuesday morning.

It is not known when Johnson will appear before a jury again for a new trial, only that the judge wants it to happen in either April or October 2025.

The news came as a shock to those Lowndes County residents who knew John “Big John” Williams. The 62-year-old sheriff has been a beloved member of the community for decades.

The news of the miscarriage of justice stirred many different emotions in the close-knit community. People talked about what a good sheriff he was and how much he loved the people he served. As Lowndes County Commission Chairman Charlie King Jr. said, “loss will never leave us. It will always be here.”

The fact that the jury was split disappointed many in the community.

“From what I saw today, there is no justice,” King said.

“It’s a slap in the face to the citizens of Lowndes County, and we’re angry, we’re upset, we’re angry,” said community activist Barbara Evans.

Others echoed those sentiments, saying Johnson had not been prosecuted.

Both the defense and the prosecution agreed that Johnson fired the shot that killed Williams that night on November 23, 2019. The difference that confused the jury was motive. Johnson said it was self-defense and he didn’t know Williams was a law enforcement officer.

Williams was shot when he confronted Johnson at a gas station. Johnson said Williams pointed a gun at him, causing him to fear for his life.

Prosecutors disputed that version of events, saying Williams made it clear he was acting as a legal representative.

Regardless of what happens in the courtroom, Williams will never be forgotten by the community he served.

“And his legacy will live on. We’re going to keep going,” King said. He’s calling on all of Lowndes County to come together in solidarity, expressing hope that justice will eventually be served.

While the order barred Lowndes County Sheriff Christopher West from commenting, other Alabama sheriffs wanted to express their feelings about the lawsuit, which brought back memories of their fallen colleague.

“If you were going to pick someone to be sheriff, he would be your guy,” said County Sheriff Lee J. Jones, who said he still feels Williams’ influence every day. “We miss him every day.”

The sheriffs of Montgomery and Dale counties shared similar sentiments and attended part of the trial.

Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham described his brother in blue as someone who wanted to be an integral part of the community.

Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum recalled being there the night his colleague died, saying, “It’s indescribable to have a brother die like that.”

Neither sheriff said they were satisfied with the mistrial, but they did not blame the jury. They all said they believed justice would prevail in the end.

Because of the murder charge, which carried the death penalty, Johnson will remain behind bars pending a new trial.

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