Key Facts

• Toforest Johnson was sentenced to death in 1998 for killing a Jefferson County deputy sheriff in 1995.
• Governor Kay Ivey commuted his death sentence to life in prison without parole.
• Johnson has said he was innocent and claimed he was far away at the time of the crime.
• No physical evidence tied Johnson to the murder, and more than 10 witnesses supported his alibi.
• The current and original prosecutors have said the conviction has major flaws and want it overturned.
• A key witness’s testimony involved money and possible motives that were not fully disclosed earlier.
• National attention and support, including from public figures and former judges, have pushed for a new trial.
• The governor does not have the power to overturn the conviction, only to change the sentence.