NAACP calls on gov. for help in case
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RALEIGH -- James Johnson, 20, has been behind bars for more than three years awaiting trial for murder in Wilson County.
It's a crime that Johnson says he didn't commit, and a situation that many say is unjust.
Now the NAACP and Johnson's family are calling on the governor to step in.
"We thank you even now for the people who are going to hear this cry," prayed Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP.
It was a prayer for justice.
"We’re calling on the state to drop the charges against James Johnson," said Barber to a group of reporters outside the state Capitol.
Johnson is charged with murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery in the 2004 death of Brittany Willis. A jury already convicted Kenneth Meeks, who said Johnson was involved but later changed his story.
The incident occured in 2004.
Johnson's been in jail for 39 months awaiting his trial.
"All the physical evidence recovered from the crime excludes James Johnson and says that he was neither involved nor present," said Barber.
The group brought hundreds of signatures to the governor's office and met with Easley's senior staff.
"We want to see the assistant DA in Wilson removed from the case, and we want fair, above board persons to look at the case," said Barber.
Both Barber and James Johnson's father compare this case to the Duke lacrosse case, with a wrongly accused teenager being held without evidence.
"We want to see the same reaction that was held a few months ago when it was white college boys at a school," said Barber.
"We want them to know that we're watching, you're watching, America's watching. We want justice for all," said Arthur Johnson, James’ father.
They hope Friday's meeting with the governor's staff can free James Johnson as his trial looms Monday morning.
"His ears and his mind were wide open, and I have faith he'll take it to the governor, and the governor will do what is necessary," said Johnson.
The governor's office says the meeting was polite and productive, and the governor has gotten the information.
The family and community will hold a candlelight vigil in front of the Wilson County Courthouse on Sunday at 7:30 pm.
Johnson's trial is set to start Monday.