PRESS RELEASE
Lonnie Johnson was unlawfully executed on July 24, 2007 for killing two teenage boys on August 15, 1990. Six weeks prior to his death, his defense team found police reports hidden in Mr. Johnson's prosecuting attorney's file at the District Attorney's office. The prosecuting attorney was then assistant District Attorney, Chuck Rosenthal. The police reports were investigated and submitted by the Harris County Police Investigation Department in August 1990 and tell the story of how Mr. Johnson was targeted on August 15 by two teenage boys who were ultimately killed by Mr. Johnson in self-defense as Mr. Johnson had claimed from the beginning.
The Criminal Court of Appeals and the 5th Circuit Court denied Mr. Johnson's Petition for Relief in July 2007 saying that these files were not hidden because the DA's office has an open file policy. Contrary to that belief, Jodi Callaway-Cole, Mr. Johnson's' final attorney obtained as evidence, 6 affidavits from each of Lonnie's attorney's over 17 years that swore they were never provided the police reports in question.
Hiding evidence in a capital murder case for the sole purpose of gaining a wrongful conviction and unlawful execution, knowing that the person will suffer hardship and ultimately death is especially depraved and criminal. The LEJ Foundation feels strongly that if we are successful, other cases that Rosenthal handled "improperly" will be exposed - Rosenthal was a DA for a long time; he is still licensed to practice law.
On July 24, 2008, The LEJ Foundation is submitting a letter requesting an investigation of Chuck Rosenthal, former DA to the Harris Grand Jury regarding the hidden police reports in Mr. Johnson's case.
PRESS CONFERENCE - The Johnson Family and I will hold a press conference on July 24, 2008 at the Magnolia Hotel Library in Houston Texas at noon. Please let us know if you are interested in attending and/or would like more information regarding Mr. Johnson's wrongful execution.
Carrie Christensen
Cell (310) 701-4380
LEJ Foundation - Exposing Unlawful Executions, Taking action , Creating Public Awareness, Finding Justice.
Having read the pleadings in this case however I have been left with the strong, strong feeling that Lonnie Johnson is telling the truth, as well as that the state’s trial prosecutors suppressed evidence. The victims’ family members are of course outraged that their children are now dead at the hands of Johnson, what parent wouldn’t be. The question though is not the outrage at the children’s death but did Johnson kill in cold blood or in self-defense. The state suppressed evidence that went directly to that point.
I firmly believe that everyone should be entitled to a fair trial. Johnson, imo (in my opinion), was denied that right. The jury was denied, imo (in my opinion), the right to hear that evidence before condemning this man to death. The appellate courts were entitled to review that evidence without having to apply the Arcane & Byzantine rules of procedural default, abuse of the writ & deference.
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