A young man named Eric Johnson was recently arrested for a crime he had no part in or knowledge of.  Eric recently graduated from Creekside High School as an honor student and member of the Beta Club. He has been working the past few months in order to help support his mother and had plans of attending Westwood College in January. Ever since his father died three years ago in a tragic house fire accident, Eric has faced adversity and has overcome numerous life obstacles to become a successful young man--at least until now.

The following are just a few facts related to the case.  A more detailed statement of facts can be found in this article.

On Monday night, August 17, 2009, Antoine Wimes and Donavon McCoy are alleged to have shot "Nikki" Neely and seriously injured her 10-month-old baby in a vicious and senseless home invasion. On August 18, 2009, after seeing the news reports of this horrific attack, Eric A. Johnson called 911 and reported to police that he had "given a ride" to the suspects earlier in the evening. Eric gave a statement to Officer Byars of the Fulton County Police Department. Eric told Officer Byars that he was asked by Antoine Wimes to give him a ride in exchange for "gas money." Eric told Officer Byars that he picked up Antoine Wimes and another young man that he met for the first time named "Dino." He drove them to a gas station, brought gas and then took them further down South Fulton Parkway and dropped them off.

The police have obtained and reviewed the gas station video that confirms Eric was at the gas station at 5:45 p.m. Additionally, in the initial statement to police, Donavan McCoy stated that they he and Antoine Wimes were "dropped off." Additionally, an independent witness, Virginia Bonylan, reported to police that she saw Antoine Wimes and Donavan McCoy in the area at 7:30 p.m. She did not see or identify Eric Johnson as being with Antoine Wimes or Donavan McCoy. Also, during the bond hearing Ms. Bonylan testified that Antoine Wimes and Donvan McCoy were coming out of the driveway of Johnny Jones driveway when she saw them. Ms. Bonylan saw these two men again later in the evening at 10:30 p.m. and gave them a ride. Police were dispatched for the shooting at 8:40 p.m. We have alibi witnesses that Eric Johnson was home well before dark on August 17, 2009.

Without any evidence and with a story that makes no sense, on September 1, 2009, Eric Johnson was indicted along with Antoine Wimes and Donavon McCoy. Eric Johnson is charged with multiple felonies including: 2 counts of Aggravated Battery, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Cruelty to Children. On September 9th, after hearing evidence on an Emergency Motion for Bond, Judge Goger granted a total bond of $50,000. As of today, Eric remains in jail unable to post a bond. Eric's mother is unemployed and his father is deceased.

While the crime allegedly committed by Antoine Wimes and Donavon McCoy was heinous to say the very least and our prayer is that we see ‘justice flow like a river,' Eric Johnson is innocent!

The video at the top of this article has some more info.  The video includes a police officer verifying the undisputed fact that Eric contacted the police in order to help solve the crime.  Now I'm not usually one to offer the police advice on how to do their job, but just this one time I'll offer my two cents: If you really want the community to help you stop crime, perhaps it's not such a good idea to arrest them after they help you.

I don't know... I'm just sayin'...

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The family is asking for support in their fight for Eric Johnson's release.  Attorney Mawuli ‘Mel' Davis, one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the state of Georgia, believes in Eric's innocence so strongly that he has offered his service for free.  Nevertheless, the family still needs $5,000.00 to post bond as well as to pay for transcripts that will be associated with the case.  If just 200 people donate $25, they can reach their goal!

Donations are being accepted online at www.justice4ericjohnson.com.

In addition to donations, please forward the petition below.  You can also contact District Attorney Paul Howard at 136 Pryor Street Third Floor, Atlanta, GA, 30303-3477.