TUSKEGEE − A mistrial has been declared in the “Big John” Williams capital murder trial after the jury could not reach a verdict.
William Chase Johnson , 22, of Montgomery, was originally indicted on capital murder charges in the case. He is charged with shooting and killing popular Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams in November 2019. The jury was also considering murder and manslaughter charges. Retired Escambia County Circuit Judge Bert Rice declared the mistrial at about 10:04 a.m. Tuesday.
The jury was made up of 10 women and two men, including 10 Black and two white jurors. They deliberated for about 11 hours over three days. The trial, which included a week-long jury seating process, went three weeks and one day.
Johnson will remain in jail under no bond, Rice ruled, which is standard in a capital case. The case continues, to be reset sometime next year in Macon County. Rice also ruled that the gag order in the case, barring attorneys and participants from commenting outside court filings and procedures, remains in effect.