For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2023
For press inquiries only, contact:
Cameron Mixon (334) 242-7491
Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces Court of Criminal Appeals Upholds Attempted Murder Conviction in Crenshaw County
(MONTGOMERY) Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the conviction of Johnny Ray Wilson, age 40, of Rutledge, for attempted murder. Wilson was convicted in the Crenshaw County Circuit Court on November 17, 2021.
The evidence at trial showed that on the night of June 1, 2019, Wilson’s victim had been fishing at a creek in Crenshaw County when Wilson approached him asking for assistance and claiming that he had been in a wreck. Subsequently, Wilson began attacking the victim who had stopped to help him. In fact, Wilson tried to strangle the victim to death with his own seatbelt, and he also bit off the victim’s ear. During the struggle, Wilson stole one of the victim’s guns and attempted to shoot the victim. Thankfully, the quick response by sheriff’s deputies and police officers ultimately saved the victim’s life.
Crenshaw County District Attorney Charlotte Temer’s office successfully prosecuted this case and obtained a guilty verdict. Wilson was sentenced to life in prison for his attempted murder conviction. Wilson sought to have his conviction reversed on appeal.
The Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division handled the case during the appeals process, arguing for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to affirm Wilson’s conviction. The Court did so in a decision issued Friday, February 3, 2023.
Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorney General John J. Davis for his successful work on this case and thanks District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer and her staff for their valuable assistance in defending the attempted murder conviction.
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