Rallies divide murder case

Grand jury may bring new charge

WILSON -- Hundreds of people converged on Wilson's downtown over the weekend for vastly different public events in prelude to this week's grand jury review of new charges against James Johnson.

Sunday afternoon, about 450 people gathered at Jackson Chapel First Baptist Church to hear speeches, prayer and music in support of Johnson, 21. Supporters chanted, "Free James Johnson! Free James Johnson!" as they marched to the downtown courthouse.

Just two days before, supporters of Brittany Willis' family held a candlelight vigil, also on the Wilson County Courthouse steps. Willis, a popular Wilson teen, was abducted from a local shopping center, raped and murdered in June 2004.

Kenneth Meeks had pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced in April 2006 to life in prison. But Johnson also was indicted for the murder after he told police Meeks forced him to help clean the car used in the murder.

Johnson remained in jail for 39 months without a trial before the case was reviewed by a special prosecutor, and the murder charges were dropped last month. However, Special Prosecutor Belinda Foster found that Johnson's actions warranted a charge of accessory after the fact. A grand jury meeting this week will decide whether to indict Johnson on the accessory charge.

"James has stood under tremendous pressure; we're here to stand for him," said the Rev. William Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, on Sunday.

During Sunday's emotionally charged gathering, Barber and other supporters called for dismissal of all charges against Johnson.

Johnson did not attend the event, but his parents were present.

A Wilson spokeswoman said Friday's vigil drew about 350 people. "They lit candles and said a prayer," said Sgt. Jacqui Boykin. "They had a banner about 6 to 8 feet wide [that said] 'Justice for Brittany.' "

"I think people are mainly upset about how he had been indicted, and how one [district attorney] dropped the charges," said Susan Auman, a family friend who attended the vigil. "The political pressure that was put on, that was the most upsetting thing."

Friday's event was planned to show support for the Willis family, Auman said. "It's bad enough that they've had their daughter raped and murdered, then they had to go through all this, too."

Randy Willis, Brittany Willis' father, could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Rich Rosen, a UNC-Chapel Hill law professor who attended Sunday's rally, said supporters should not be surprised if Johnson is again indicted.

"There is law, and there is justice," Rosen said. "Justice will come when we demand it."