Nick Gady

This is where we find ourselves, unable to tell you how this story ends.

I plan to stay here with DeForest, his family, his children, his lawyers, and everyone else who believes in him.

We'll continue to hold him in the light of truth.

This call is not private.

It will be recorded and may be monitored.

You may start the conversation now.

Taforest calls his family from prison whenever he can.

But his oldest daughter, Shanae, also keeps his cards and letters in a K-Swiss shoebox under her bed.

Like all the people who love to Forrest Johnson, his five kids and 15 grandkids, his mother Donna, his aunts, uncles, and cousins, they read the words he sent them over the years when they need to hold him close.

To learn more about the fight to free Taforist Johnson, sign up for updates and learn how you can help.

Visit the website created by Greater Birmingham Ministries for Taforist.

It's TaforistJohnson.com.

And a special thanks to the family of Taforist Johnson, who have generously shared so much for this series.

Ear Witness is a production of Lava for Good Podcasts in association with Signal Company No.

1.

Executive producers are Jason Flom, Jeff Kempler, Kevin Wardus, and me, Beth Shelburne.

The investigative reporting for this series was done by me and Mara McNamara.

Producers are Mara McNamara, Hannah Beal, and Jackie Pauley.

Kara Kornhaber is our senior producer.

Britt Spangler is our sound designer.