Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510230124
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MONTGOMERY, ALA. LENGTH: Medium
The federal jury of eight whites and four blacks took less than four hours to find 25-year-old Christopher Lynn Johnson innocent of arson and possession of a destructive device - a bag soaked with lighter fluid.
One juror, Lillie Flowers of Montgomery, said prosecutors did not prove their case against Johnson.
``They didn't have enough evidence,'' she said when reached at home after the verdict. She refused to elaborate.
Johnson's attorney had suggested that the principal himself, Hulond Humphries, had set the 1994 fire that destroyed Randolph County High School in Wedowee, population 800.
Upon hearing the verdict, Johnson closed his eyes and leaned back with relief. Members of his family wept quietly, and a supporter exclaimed ``Yes!'' while clenching his fist.
``This is a good day. Lord knows, it's a good day,'' Johnson's sister, Gail Watkins, said.
Johnson refused to comment later, telling reporters, ``Y'all have dogged me enough.'' The former poultry plant worker, who did not testify, could have received 30 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Redding Pitt said he believed the evidence was compelling but that he would not second-guess the jury. He would not comment on whether the investigation remained open or authorities have other suspects.
At the trial, Johnson's ex-wife, to whom he was still married at the time, testified that she found a bag soaked with lighter fluid at their home the night before the blaze and that it was gone the next night.
Also, a friend of Johnson's, David Garrett, said Johnson had told him beforehand he was going to burn the school and boasted about it afterward.
Garrett, who didn't believe the boast, testified that Johnson retorted: ``If you don't believe me, watch the 10 o'clock news.''
The school was plunged into turmoil when Humphries threatened to cancel the prom if interracial couples planned to attend. He was also accused of referring to a mixed-race student as a ``mistake.''
by CNB