48 Hours “Lamar Johnson: Standing in Truth” March 16 2024 Recap & Preview
Get ready for a gripping and thought-provoking journey as 48 HOURS presents an encore of “Lamar Johnson: Standing in Truth.” Tune in to CBS on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 PM ET/PT to witness this compelling story unfold.
In 1995, Lamar Johnson’s life took a tragic turn when he was charged with the murder of his friend, Markus Boyd. Despite maintaining his innocence and providing an alibi, Johnson was convicted and sentenced to life in prison based primarily on the testimony of Greg Elking, who identified him in a police lineup.
Now, nearly three decades later, Johnson’s conviction has been vacated after Elking recanted his identification. In this encore presentation, viewers will hear directly from Johnson as he recounts his harrowing journey to prove his innocence. Additionally, Elking will provide insight into why he lied at Johnson’s trial, shedding light on the complexities of the case.
Join 48 HOURS correspondent Erin Moriarty for an unforgettable exploration of justice, truth, and redemption in “Lamar Johnson: Standing in Truth,” airing Saturday night on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
What Happened to Lamar Johnson & Markus Boyd?
Lamar Johnson, a St. Louis, Missouri man, was wrongfully convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 and sentenced to life without parole for the shooting of Markus Boyd, a crime he steadfastly claimed he did not commit. Convicted at 21 and incarcerated until 49, Johnson spent nearly three decades fighting for his freedom. The turning point in Johnson’s case came when “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty delved into the intricacies of his wrongful conviction, shedding light on the questionable evidence and the testimony of the key witness, Greg Elking, who later admitted to being pressured by law enforcement into identifying Johnson as one of the killers.
Despite Johnson’s alibi and absence of a motive or physical evidence linking him to the murder, he was convicted based largely on Elking’s identification and a jailhouse informant’s testimony. Years later, through tireless advocacy by his legal team and the establishment of a Conviction Integrity Unit by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner, new evidence was brought to light, including admissions by the actual perpetrators and Elking’s recantation of his testimony.
After a historic court hearing where Johnson’s innocence claim was finally considered, Judge David Mason overturned Johnson’s conviction on February 14, 2023, citing clear and convincing evidence of his innocence. This exoneration came too late for Johnson to reclaim the lost years and moments with his family, but it allowed him to start anew, emphasizing the importance of presence over presents as he looked forward to his daughter’s wedding. Notably, under Missouri law at the time, Johnson was not entitled to compensation for the years he wrongfully spent behind bars.
