A former White Hall police officer was sentenced to 45 days in jail Wednesday following his conviction for criminally negligent homicide.

Jessie James Johnson was chasing two speeding vehicles on Highway 80 in White Hall on Oct. 6, 2006 when he hit a car crossing the highway. Mary Webster, the driver of the car, was killed instantly.

Johnson was convicted on March 27 after a three-day trial.

King's office presented evidence that Johnson was not using his siren or blue warning lights even though his car was traveling about 113 miles per hour when he hit Webster's car.

Alabama law requires emergency vehicles to use sirens and lights when exceeding the posted speed limit.

The judge also ordered Johnson to serve two years probation and pay full restitution to the victim's family for the expenses of her funeral.

Johnson has a lengthy history of criminal charges and convictions, starting with a charge of assault with intent to murder in 1972, followed by a 1977 conviction for homicide manslaughter.

His record shows at least 14 guilty pleas to various charges including speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving with a suspended license.

"He should never have been acting in the capacity of a law enforcement officer in the first place, having already had one felony conviction for killing someone, and this homicide underscores his unfitness and ineligibility for any law enforcement position," Attorney General Troy King said in a Wednesday statement. "Mary Webster and her family paid a terrible price for Mr. Johnson's criminal behavior, and the time that he will serve in jail can never repay their loss."

Email To A Friend