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Just 25 days short of Sheriff ‘Big John’ Williams’ 2019 slaying, a mistrial has been declared in William Chase Johnson’s capital murder trial.

Retired Escambia County Circuit Judge Bert Rice declared the mistrial Tuesday morning just after 10 a.m. when a Macon County jury could not reach a verdict. The 10-woman, two-man jury deliberated for nearly 11 hours over the course of three days and the trial spanned over three weeks from jury selection to the Oct. 29 declaration.

Lowndes County citizens and officials reacted to the news, expressing frustration over what they consider to be a delay of justice for the community and for Williams’ family. 

“As a citizen, we think this is a slap in our face,” said Lowndes County Probate Judge Lashandra Myrick. “This was a sitting sheriff. Whether he was in uniform or not, he was always on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year as long as he held that position. So, whether he was in uniform or not, he was still sheriff.”

The county courthouse, named after the late sheriff, closed early Tuesday by the directive of County Commission Chairman Charlie King, Jr.

Johnson stands trial for the Williams’ slaying, accused of shooting the Sheriff on Nov. 23, 2019. The murder occurred at the Hayneville QV as Williams attempted to disperse a large crowd blocking gas pumps at the convenience store.

The accused, who initially pleaded not guilty by reason of mental defect, changed his plea to not guilty just before witness testimony began in the trial. Mounting a case for self-defense, Johnson’s lawyers called witnesses who claimed the late Sheriff came after Johnson before the accused ultimately shot Williams.

Johnson, 22, is held in the Lee County Detention Center without bond. He will remain there, Rice ruled, until the trial continues some time in 2025.

Court officials and participants in the case are under a gag order, prohibited from commenting outside court procedures and filings. According to Lowndes County Sheriff Chris West, he, along with all other local law enforcement agency personnel involved in the case and District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer’s attorneys, who are prosecuting Johnson along with Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office, are prohibited from commenting on the trial.

Meanwhile, community members say they are confident justice will prevail for Lowndes County.

“For them to declare a mistrial when [Johnson] clearly admitted to shooting the Sheriff, we just don’t see the justice in it,” Myrick said. “But, as always, we’re trusting God and we know that He works all things out.”