Prosecution rests in capital murder trial of William Chase Johnson
The prosecution has rested in the capital murder trial of the man charged with killing Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams.
Prosecutors called two witnesses this morning before resting their case. The trial was adjourned for the rest of the day before it resumes Friday with the first defense witnesses.
William Chase Johnson is standing trial in the death of Sheriff Williams, who was shot in 2019 outside of a gas station in Hayneville. Prosecutors say he was shot in the face after telling Johnson to turn down his radio. Johnson was 18 at the time.
Defense attorneys have argued during cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses that Williams was not in uniform nor in a marked sheriff’s office vehicle when he was shot. They have questioned whether Williams identified himself as the sheriff and whether he was on-duty when he was shot.
There is a gag order in the case, which means that no one involved in the trial is allowed to speak to reporters.
The trial was moved from Lowndes County to Macon County because of pre-trial publicity. After his death, the Lowndes County Courthouse was named in memory of Sheriff Williams.
