After serving nearly 28 years in prison, Lamar Johnson was finally released from custody after a witness recanted his prior testimony. According to Judge David Mason, who presided over the case, the recent testimony of two witnesses provided clear and convincing evidence of Johnson’s innocence, and ordered him to be released from prison. Johnson, who was originally found guilty of the 1994 murder of Marcus Boyd, said the vacating of the verdict is overwhelming.
The vacating of the verdict occurred after an extensive investigation into Johnson’s innocence by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. “This case says that in the state of Missouri, a person’s right to justice and liberty is valued more than the finality of an unjust conviction,” Gardner said. “My office fought long and hard … We are pleased that Mr. Johnson will have the opportunity to be the man and member of our community that he desires.”