Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Anthony Johnson

First Name Anthony
Last NameJohnson
Year of Conviction1986
Year of Exoneration2010
Testing inculpated culpritNon-Cold Hit
State of ConvictionLouisiana
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeMurder
Death SentenceNo
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeBlack
JuvenileNo
Type of Innocence Defense
  • Third Party Guilt
Description / Quotes from Testimony Concerning Defense

Inmate testified that he spoke to the culprit in prison, who bragged about how he killed the victim and how "There was this guy that was in jail with him," who was innocent, but "he wgoing to let him take, let him, just let him ride."

Did the defendant testify at trial?Yes
Types of evidence at trial
  • Eyewitness
  • Forensic Evidence
  • Other
Type of Forensic Evidence
  • Hair
  • Serology
Types of Flawed Forensics
  • Invalid
Reason why invalid(6) Statement that hairs came from defendant
Brief Quote / Description of Testimony

Analyst that conducted hair comparison testified: “I would state that in all probability they came from the same individual.” On re-direct, analyst described a 90% certainty that the hairs came from the defendant. Serology identified bloog enzyme groupings consistent with those of the defendant.

Identity of eyewitness
  • Non-victim
Examples of Non-Public or Corroborated Facts and Inconsistencies

No custodial confession, but claimed made detailed inculpatory remark admitting: ● Victim was stabbed with a "pick and fork" ● Victim murdered in her bedroom

Quotes from law enforcement testimony

I asked him, “Done what to her?” and he said, “I wouldn’t have killed her like that,” and I said, “What do you mean killed her like that?” and he said, “With the pick and fork,” and at this point I told him, I said, “How did you know the weapons that was used to kill her with?” and he hesitated and then he said, “Well, I just figured that’s what it was because she slept with them under her pillow all the time,” and at this point I come back with, “How did you know she was in the bedroom?” and at that point he stated he did not want to talk to us any more, he wanted to talk to an attorney. That ended the conversation with him.”

Quotes from prosecution arguments

"Q. Did at any time anyone tell him of the facts and circumstances of the killing, how the killing took place? A. No, we didn’t."

Interrogation RecordedThe recorded portion consisted of a statement in which defendant insisted on his innocence
Highest level reachedState Post­ Conviction
Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction
  • Brady
  • Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
  • Motion for DNA Testing
Harmless Error Rulings
  • G
Citations to judicial opinions

State v. Johnson 23 So.3d 878 (La. 2009)
State v. Johnson 23 So.3d 876 (La. 2009)
State v. Johnson 18 So.3d 1268 (La. 2009
State v. Johnson 504 So.2d 875 (La. 1987)
State v. Johnson 971 So.2d 1124 (La.App. 1 Cir. 2007)