“As a lifelong defender of the death penalty, I do not lightly say what follows: An innocent man is trapped on Alabama’s death row.”

“It is the District Attorney’s position that, in the interest of justice, Mr. Johnson, who has spent more than two decades on death row, be granted a new trial.”

“Toforest Johnson shouldn't have been on death row for one day, let alone 26 years and counting. It's time for him to come home to his family.”

“As prosecutors, our duty is to seek justice. I believe that in an extraordinary case like Mr. Johnson's, where both the trial prosecutor and elected district attorney have publicly called for a new trial, it is in the interest of justice for the court to grant a new trial.”

“I say this as the former Attorney General and Governor of Alabama: An innocent man is sitting on Alabama’s death row awaiting execution. This injustice must not be allowed to go on for another day.”

“I continue to have confidence in our system, so I’m hopeful and optimistic that Mr. Johnson will be given a new trial soon. Then no longer will we ask– in a case in which the evidence is so problematic that even the District Attorney and the trial prosecutor support a new trial – why, after twenty-four years, is Toforest Johnson still on death row?”

“I think we convicted an innocent man. I feel grief deep in my soul. I can’t imagine what this has been like for him and his family.”

“It would be unconscionable to proceed with Mr. Johnson’s conviction when there is substantial evidence supporting his innocence and right to a new trial.”

“The evidence of constitutional violations and Mr. Johnson’s innocence is genuinely overwhelming.”

“We at Greater Birmingham Ministries understand that Mr. Johnson was convicted and sent to death row in the name of the people of Jefferson County and the State. We can’t stand idly by. A new trial would not only be justice for Mr. Johnson, it would be justice for us all.”

“Prosecutors, as officers of the court, have a duty of candor to the tribunal and an obligation to see justice done. In a situation like this, where a district attorney takes the unusual step of advocating for a new trial, we believe the courts should honor that request.”

“During my time as Alabama governor, I reviewed many death row cases. But I have never seen a case where the trial prosecutor and the elected District Attorney called for a new trial. Mr. Johnson’s case is truly extraordinary and the granting of a new trial is the only outcome that can ensure justice.”

“District Attorney Danny Carr’s new investigation provides an opportunity to act in the interest of justice and grant the request for a new trial.”

“It is undeniably right to reassess a capital conviction when the prosecutor who reviews the evidence and course of proceedings is left with concerns about whether justice was done.”

“I feel sad for the victim’s family because they haven’t gotten any justice. They don’t have the right person in prison.”

“Mr. Johnson was convicted and sent to death row for a crime he had nothing to do with.”

“Alabama is poised to execute an innocent man unless the court intervenes.”