A mistrial has been announced in the murder trial of William Chase Johnson

MACON COUNTY, Alabama (WSFA) – The jury in the William Chase Johnson murder trial returned to the judge, telling him they could not reach a verdict. As a result, the judge declared an error.

Johnson was on trial for the November 23, 2019, killing of Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams. Both the defense and the prosecution agreed that Johnson pulled the trigger, but for different reasons. Prosecutors said it was an intentional murder. The defense said it was self-defense.

The judge ordered a new trial, again in Macon County. The exact date of this trial is still unknown, but it will take place at some point in 2025. The judge also ruled that a ban on either side talking about the case would remain in place.

Jury deliberations began Thursday, about three weeks after they were brought in and selected for the trial. The judge instructed them on four possible decisions they could make. Those possible verdicts included the death penalty, which should have been considered first. There were also the options of murder, manslaughter or they could come back and say Johnson was not guilty.

During deliberations, the jury asked the judge several questions, including:

One concerns the elements of capital murder, which prompted the judge to reread the charges and how the law defines capital murder.
Another asked for clarification, from a legal perspective, on whether the sheriff was on duty when he responded to the Hayneville gas station where he controlled the crowd before he was shot. The judge told the jury he could not answer that question.
Another asked if jurors could have copies of the trial transcripts, but the judge said they were not available.
Jurors asked the judge if he would read the intent law.

At the end of the day Friday, jurors said they still couldn’t decide on a verdict, then the judge charged Allen, urging them to continue deliberating and try to come to a common conclusion if possible. The jury returned on Tuesday and told him they still couldn’t reach a verdict.

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