Skip to Content
AP-National

A Black man imprisoned since 1998 walks free and his attorneys raise concerns about police racism

By
Published 6:56 PM

By ANDREW SELSKY
Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Black man sentenced to death in Oregon for a 1998 murder is now free, two years after the state Court of Appeals reversed the conviction in a case that his defenders said was tainted by racism. Jesse Johnson spent 25 years in prison for a crime he denied committing. The Oregon Innocence Project, which represented Johnson in his appeal, accused the state of committing a heinous injustice in its handling of the case. Prosecutors asked the Marion County Circuit Court to dismiss the case, saying the state no longer believes it can prove guilt based on how much time has passed since the murder of Harriet Thompson.

Article Topic Follows: AP-National

Jump to comments ↓

Associated Press

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content