Convicting the Innocent
DNA Exonerations Database

Johnnie Lindsey

First Name Johnnie
Last NameLindsey
Year of Conviction1981
Year of Exoneration2009
State of ConvictionTexas
Trial, Bench Trial, or Guilty PleaTrial
Type of CrimeRape
Death SentenceNo
Life / LWOP sentenceLife
Gender of ExonereeMale
Race of exonereeBlack
JuvenileNo
Type of Innocence Defense
  • Alibi
Description / Quotes from Testimony Concerning Defense

● Defendant’s employer at a laundry testified on his behalf, and said he had been at work the day of the crime, presenting defendant’s time card.

Did the defendant testify at trial?No
Types of evidence at trial
  • Eyewitness
Identity of eyewitness
  • Cross Racial Identification
  • Victim
Multiple eyewitnesses2
Suggestive Procedures

Yes ● Suggestive line-up – photos included dates of arrest and only two men in photos were shirtless

Unreliable Identification?

Yes ● Initial nonidentification

Highest level reachedAppeal
Claims Raised During All Appeals and Postconviction
  • Jury Instructions
  • Statute of Limitations
Claims granted, resulting in preexon. reversal
  • Jury Instructions
Citations to judicial opinions

Lindsey v. State, 672 S.W.2d 892 (Tex. App. 5 Dist.,1984)
Lindsey v. State, 760 S.W.2d 649 (Tex. Cr. App. 1988)