 Lorenzo Johnson's News Forum Case No:1544 CD 1996 Date of the Crime: 12-15-1995 Date of Conviction: 3-17-1997 Sentence: Life without parole for first degree murder + 5-10 years for conspiracy to commit murder | Lorenzo Johnsonpossibly Innocent In Pennsylvania
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On March 17, 1997, Lorenzo Johnson was falsely accused of murder and convicted falsely and without merit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania of murder and conspiracy. Mr. Johnson is from New York and he was visiting friends off and on in Harrisburg. On the night of the murder Mr. Johnson was in New York, where witnesses could place him at. One witness gave a statement that Mr. Johnson was in New York with her and was later forced by police to get her to change her testimony for a reduced sentence on an open criminal charge she had pending. Other witnesses gave statements saying that Mr. Johnson was nowhere around on the night that this murder occurred. Statements were made by a known crack user, that she was paid crack cocaine to lure the victim to the area where he was murdered. This statement was made to one of Mr. Johnson's alibi witnesses, yet his name was never mentioned. This young lady originally told police she knew nothing about the murder. At trial she gave testimony that there was an argument in a bar and Mr. Johnson's codefendant and the deceased were asked to leave the bar. When the two walked around the corner, she said she heard a boom, but never saw what happened, in the alley but, it looked like Mr. Johnson could have been the lookout. At trial the bar owner gave testimony that Mr. Johnson was not part of any argument or was present in the bar the day of this murder. Another witness gave testimony that he observed a lady go into the alley at the time the deceased was murdered. The police during their investigation and questioning of witnesses was provocative by their suggestive methods by only showing two (2) mug shots! Mr. Johnson's and that of his codefendant, and not a variety of mug shots. Another witness for Mr. Johnson who was later arrested on unrelated charges was taken to the police station from the county prison and threatened to give a false statement against Mr. Johnson and in return he would be given a reduced sentence. There was another Commonwealth witness who after trial contacted Mr. Johnson's attorney and signed an affidavit stating he wrongfully placed Mr. Johnson on the scene when in actuality he never saw Mr. Johnson at the murder scene. This witness stated he was pressured to place Mr. Johnson on the scene. There were many illegal practices used to convict Mr. Johnson. No factual evidence was presented that could place Mr. Johnson at the crime scene or that he had anything to do with the crime. The Superior Court Judge dissented and gave an opinion that the State's evidence was not sufficient enough to show that Mr. Johnson conspired to murder anyone. Mr. Johnson is a family man and father who was very loving and caring, playing a vital role in the rearing of his children. Therefore this appeal is for freedom, justice, loving individuals to get involved to help Mr. Johnson be re-united with his family, him today, you tomorrow! |
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Petition Under The Post Conviction Relief Act (May 2002) (pdf) Motion to Withdraw As Counsel (February 2005) (pdf) Motion For Conflict Of Interest (pdf) Memorandum Opinion And Order (pdf) ROA Report 3/30/1996-7/14/2005 (pdf) Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus (44 pages, pdf) Witness Victoria Doubs (19 pages, pdf) statement/testimony of Victoria Doubs providing "alibi" Doubs' testimony she received no special treatment for her testimony plea agreement Testimony Carla Brown (17 pages, pdf) Wayne K. Ross, M.D., P.C. Forensic Pathologist Report, front page & page 3 (pdf) Prosecutor Abruzzo vouching for credibility of witness before the jury (pdf) Letter from Centurion Ministries 221 Witherspoon Street Princeton, NJ 08542 www.centurionministries.org |
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