WILSON COUNTY -- The trial begins Monday for a man charged with murder in the 2004 death of a Wilson County teenager.

James Johnson, 20, has been in jail for more than three years awaiting trail, but it’s a trial some say should never even begin.

“It is time to free James Johnson and let him come home and start over with his life," said Rev. William Barber.

The NAACP and Johnson’s family have been pleading for months for the man to be released. He is charged with murder, rape, kidnapping and robbery in the death of Brittany Willis. Her body was found in a field.

A jury has already convicted Kenneth Meeks, whom Johnson turned in to police. Meeks, in turn, said Johnson was also involved but later changed his story and said he acted alone.

“This case should have ended on April 9, 2006 when Kenneth Meeks basically confessed in court and was convicted,” said Arthur Johnson. The case is one that some in the community have called unjust, saying the assistant DA has mishandled the case, and they want him removed.

The NAACP held a rally earlier this month and took petitions to the governor’s office on Friday asking for him and the attorney general to step in. Johnson is under a one million dollar bond.