Episode 7 | Messy
Explicit content warning
10/24/23 • 37 min
Episode 7 of 8
The original trial prosecutor, Jeff Wallace, begins to doubt Violet Ellison's credibility several years after Toforest's conviction. Beth embarks on an investigative journey to examine Ellison's credibility, and discovers that Ellison appeared on the State's witness list in at least four other criminal cases. She speaks to the defendants in these other cases – as well as members of Ellison’s own family – and learns that she is not at all the woman prosecutors portrayed at trial, and in fact, has a history of leveraging the legal system for her own gains.
To learn more, including how you can help, visit: http://www.ToforestJohnson.com
Earwitness is available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. To hear episodes 1 week early and ad free, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts.
Earwitness is a production of Lava for GoodTM Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 7 of 8
The original trial prosecutor, Jeff Wallace, begins to doubt Violet Ellison's credibility several years after Toforest's conviction. Beth embarks on an investigative journey to examine Ellison's credibility, and discovers that Ellison appeared on the State's witness list in at least four other criminal cases. She speaks to the defendants in these other cases – as well as members of Ellison’s own family – and learns that she is not at all the woman prosecutors portrayed at trial, and in fact, has a history of leveraging the legal system for her own gains.
To learn more, including how you can help, visit: http://www.ToforestJohnson.com
Earwitness is available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. To hear episodes 1 week early and ad free, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts.
Earwitness is a production of Lava for GoodTM Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Previous Episode
Episode 6 | Misfiled
Episode 6 of 8
Beth unravels disturbing revelations about the State’s handling of Violet Ellison, the earwitness whose testimony forms the backbone of the case against Toforest. She tracks the tenacious investigative work of Toforest’s lawyers to prove Ellison was paid $5000 for her testimony - in secret. After years of denying that a reward was ever paid, prosecutors are finally forced to disclose the truth – almost 20 years after Toforest was convicted and sentenced to death.
To learn more, including how you can help, visit:
http://www.ToforestJohnson.com
Earwitness is available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts. To hear episodes 1 week early and ad free, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts.
Earwitness is a production of Lava for GoodTM Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Next Episode
Episode 8 | Bondage to the Law
Episode 8 of 8
In a rare and remarkable move, the current Jefferson County District Attorney, Danny Carr, has asked the court to throw out Toforest’s conviction and order a new trial. The original prosecutor, Jeff Wallace, joined Carr’s call to right this terrible wrong, yet Toforest remains on death row, and the State continues to seek his execution. Beth unpacks the journey these powerful men have taken to reach their conclusions while also exploring why the system itself refuses to self-correct. The series concludes with Toforest’s children sharing how his wrongful conviction has shaped their lives and how they continue to hold out hope that the truth will prevail and their father will finally receive the freedom he deserves – before it’s too late.
To learn more, including how you can help, visit:
http://www.ToforestJohnson.com
Earwitness is available wherever you get your podcasts. To hear all 8 episodes right now ad-free, subscribe to Lava for Good+ on Apple Podcasts.
Earwitness is a production of Lava for GoodTM Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earwitness - Episode 7 | Messy
Transcript
Last time on ear witness. We knew the reward was offered because it was all over the papers, but we didn't know who got it or if I let Ellison got it. She was a very credible witness. We believed her. Obviously, we believed her because we convicted him, and it was on her testimony. When I showed up at her house, she said I didn't get a reward. I was like, oh, well, that's funny. I was like, well, I have some paperwork here that says you got a rew
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