A judge has decided to relocate the capital murder trial of William Chase Johnson, the man accused of killing Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams, to a different county. The change of venue was granted by Circuit Judge Bert Rice on Wednesday, following a defense motion arguing that the extensive local media coverage and the renaming of the county courthouse in honor of the slain sheriff would prevent a fair trial in Lowndes County. The new location for the trial will be determined later.

Johnson, a 21-year-old from Montgomery, is charged with capital murder in the 2019 shooting death of Sheriff Williams, which occurred at a gas station. The defense team asserted in their January motion that the intense media scrutiny and public sentiment surrounding the case had created a hostile environment for their client, making an impartial jury in Lowndes County impossible. They also noted that the prosecution is pursuing the death penalty. The defense emphasized how the pervasive media coverage and the community's reaction had prejudiced public opinion against Johnson, hindering his right to a fair trial. Sheriff Williams, often referred to as "Big John," was a prominent figure in the county, having dedicated over four decades to law enforcement. He began his career as a reserve deputy in 1978, later serving with the Hayneville Police Department before returning to the sheriff's office and rising through the ranks to become chief deputy. He was elected sheriff in 2010.