WILSON, N.C. -- This will be a Wilson man's first Thanksgiving at home since spending more than three years in jail awaiting trial, charged with a murder he says he didn't commit.

James Johnson was released from jail on $60,000 bond nearly two months ago when the case was turned over to special, outside prosecutors for review. In the meantime, Johnson still faces charges for the 2004 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 17-year-old Brittany Willis.

Since being released from jail on Sept. 24, Johnson has stayed close to his Wilson home. He's spending as much time as possible with friends and family, something he often took for granted before spending more than three years behind bars.

“Telling someone, telling the public you're a murderer, a rapist, that's kind of like defamation of character," he said. “I was a victim of verbal murder. That's one thing people have to realize. The stress put on me, I felt like it was torture.”

Even though he’s out of jail now, Johnson's legal troubles aren't completely behind him yet. A special prosecutor must decide if he'll stand trial for the kidnapping and murder of Brittany Willis, a crime another man has already confessed to.

An assistant district attorney from Forsyth County has been appointed to review the case. However, it could be another month or two before a decision is made whether to proceed with the case or drop the charges.

“I'll say it 1,000 more times: I didn't have anything to do with it,” declared Johnson. “I'm sad, sad that it happened. If we could trade places or if I could just go back and wish I was there and just change that, I wish I could just change it.”

This week, Johnson is looking forward to a Thanksgiving much different from his last three in jail.

“Holidays are probably the worst days [in jail] because you know everyone is having fun, families are together, friends are together.”

Johnson is hopeful the charges against him will soon be dropped and he can officially start the rest of his life, with a clean slate. He’s currently taking correspondent college classes. He wants to study either business or communication.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is holding a rally Sunday, Dec. 2 in support of James Johnson. The rally will be at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh.

The NAACP will also be accepting donations to help pay for Johnson's legal defense and for him to get a college education.