In 1995, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy William Hardy was shot behind a Birmingham hotel. At that moment, over ten witnesses placed Toforest Johnson at a nightclub across town. Despite this, Toforest has spent more than 26 years on death row for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. Today, many—including one of the jurors who originally convicted him— think the courts got it wrong. But how? With the support of investigative reporter Beth Shelburne, we explore the horrifying twists behind Toforest’s controversial conviction.
Please be aware that today’s episode contains mentions of gun violence and brief references to sexual abuse and suicide.
A full transcript of this episode is available here.
Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:
This is a story that is still unfolding, and Toforest’s future is still uncertain. Because of that it’s really important that we stick to these actions, as they are the ones most supportive of Toforest. First, visit toforestjohnson.com, and share this story far and wide within your community. Visit the Social Media Toolkit to download graphics and share Toforest’s story on your own social media. Finally, add your name to a list of people who support a new trial for Toforest.
To keep up with updates about Toforest’s case from Greater Birmingham Ministries, which maintains his website and Instagram account, follow @ToforestJohnson.
Toforest’s daughter Akeriya Terry, who also goes by the nickname Muffin, regularly advocates for her dad on TikTok and Instagram. On these accounts, she also shares a variety of emotional stories, including letters she’s received from her dad on death row and what it’s been like visiting her dad in prison. You can find Muffin on Instagram @_muffcakes__ and on TikTok @teaching_with_muffin.
A special thanks to Beth Johnson and Lava for Good. Make sure you check out Beth’s full coverage of this story in her podcast Earwitness. There’s a lot about this case and Toforest’s life that I didn’t have time to cover in just one episode, so make sure to listen to Earwitness to hear it all!
Audio Used:
Earwitness: Episode 4 | Witness or Defendant.
Earwitness: Episode 1 | Behind the Crown.
Earwitness: Episode 2 | Don’t Know Diddly.
Earwitness: Episode 5 | Anybody Will Do.
Earwitness: Episode 8 | Bondage to the Law.
Sources Used:
Lava For Good: Earwitness Podcast.
The Washington Post: An illusion of justice, by Radley Balko.
Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality: Police Questioning of Juveniles, by Emma Kruger.
ProPublica: What Happens When Prosecutors Offer Opposing Versions of the Truth?, by Ken Armstrong.
