Murder With My Husband

Episode 309: The Innocent Man Who Spent 28 Years in Prison – The Murder of Marcus Boyd
Release Date: February 23, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland
Podcast Theme: A true crime tale with in-depth discussion around crime, injustice, and the human cost—presented by a wife who loves true crime and a husband who hates it.

Episode Overview

This episode tells the tragic story of Marcus Boyd’s 1994 murder and the even more shocking story of Lamar Johnson’s wrongful conviction and 28-year imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. By exploring the case’s layers—from the original murder through the police investigation, trial misconduct, and ultimate exoneration—Peyton and Garrett address the devastating effects of justice system failures on entire communities.

Main Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Crime and Initial Victims

• [06:03] The hosts introduce Marcus Boyd, a hardworking 25-year-old father in St. Louis, trying to give his family a better future, who, out of necessity, sold drugs on the side.
• On October 30, 1994, Marcus was shot and killed on his porch by two masked men as witnessed by his friend and co-worker, Greg Elking.
• Police immediately assumed a drug dispute (“Right away, it seemed clear to police that this shooting was a dispute over drug money...” — Peyton, 11:01).

2. Fast and Flawed Investigation

• [12:14] Police focused on Marcus’s friend Lamar Johnson based on the hearsay suggestion of Marcus’s girlfriend, Leslie, who mentioned a recent falling out (though she wasn’t certain).
• Greg Elking, the sole eyewitness, was heavily pressured in multiple interviews to identify Lamar from a photo lineup, even though he didn’t recognize him. As Garrett notes, this is “crazy detective work” ([22:10]).
• Police involved Elking in questionable identification practices: “...the detectives are like, guy number three and four. And Greg’s like, yep, okay, you’re right. Those are the suspects, number three and four” ([22:26]).

3. Weak Prosecution: Jailhouse Informants & Flimsy Evidence

• With almost no physical evidence, the prosecution leaned on the testimony of jailhouse informant William Mock, a white supremacist with a criminal record and incentives to lie (he received leniency and perks for cooperation). William invented a story about overhearing Lamar and Philip Campbell (arrested alongside Lamar) confess, involving a fictitious third person as their alibi.
• Peyton clarifies that this is a “stereotypical wrongful conviction” case: no reliable evidence, dodgy detective work, and a jailhouse snitch ([23:52]).
• The hosts cite unsettling stats: 241 wrongful convictions linked to informant falsehoods in the US between 1989 and 2024 ([28:26]).

4. Trial and Conviction Against All Reason

• [31:12] Despite the lack of evidence, Lamar Johnson is convicted after only two hours of jury deliberation. The jury was kept in the dark about the informant’s background and the incentives provided.
• Greg Elking, the witness, maintains his story on the stand despite later admitting he lied and was pressured.
• Peyton: “This is crazy. The jury has no idea about any of that.” ([30:11])

5. Post-Conviction: Confessions & the Long Fight for Justice

• [32:39] After conviction, Philip Campbell wrote Lamar a letter admitting he and another man, James Howard, were actually responsible for the murder—explicitly exonerating Lamar.
• Yet, Lamar’s requests for a new hearing were denied repeatedly.
• Over the years, new evidence emerged—including affidavits and letters from both true perpetrators and the recantation of Greg Elking’s testimony ([40:50]), plus findings that Greg was paid and had debts cleared to secure his cooperation.

6. Wrongful Conviction Systemic Problems & Challenges

• The hosts discuss the broader context of wrongful convictions, particularly for minorities in the 1990s and the dangers of over-relying on biased witnesses and incentivized informants ([24:40], [28:28]).
• Peyton and Garrett criticize corrupt detective work, blind prosecution, and the tendency for the state to resist reopening old cases due to financial and reputational concerns.
• Garret: “The corrupt detectives who did this need to go to jail for as long as Lamar served. That’s the only way to fix this” ([44:24]).

7. The Exoneration and Its Aftermath

• After years of struggle, the Innocence Project and a St. Louis prosecutor’s special Conviction Integrity Unit finally exposed the case’s fatal flaws.
• Missouri enacted a law allowing prosecutors to petition for exoneration, even decades after conviction ([47:18]).
• In 2022, Lamar was granted a new hearing. The original witnesses recanted; the flawed evidence was discredited; and Lamar testified about his innocence and lack of legal counsel.
• [50:22] “The judge gave him the news he’d been waiting to hear. He wasn’t granted a retrial. His conviction was overturned. Lamar Johnson was now a free man.” — Peyton ([50:22]).

8. No Restitution, But a Second Chance

• Shockingly, Missouri offers zero financial compensation for exonerees without DNA evidence. Lamar was released without money, resources, or support ([52:03]).
• His family, aided by the Innocence Project, raised donations via GoFundMe to help Lamar rebuild his life ([52:52]).
• Lamar’s response: “I’m grateful to be free. I’m doing my best to make up for all of the time that was stolen from me and my family, especially my daughters...I intend to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.” ([53:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s like taking a tragedy and then adding a tragedy on top of it.” – Peyton ([05:07]): On the dual victimization of violent crime and wrongful conviction.
• “The detectives are like, guy number three and four. And Greg’s like, yep, okay, you’re right. Those are the suspects…” – Peyton ([22:26]): On the unethical ID process.
• “241 wrongful convictions relied on jailhouse informants. That’s 241 victims, 241 people who were put in jail due to the testimony of convicted felons.” – Peyton ([28:28])
• “You’re messing with someone’s life. This isn't a game.” – Garrett ([45:48])
• “There can be no healing without answers and accountability. I deserved better, and so did Marcus.” – Lamar Johnson, in public statement ([53:43])

Important Segment Timestamps

• [06:03] – Introduction to Marcus Boyd and crime background
• [11:01] – Police investigation, early suspicions, and flawed assumption
• [14:34] – Eyewitness pressure tactics and ID lineup
• [23:52] – Introduction of jailhouse informant/junk evidence
• [28:28] – Discussion of jailhouse informant wrongful convictions statistics
• [31:12] – Trial, conviction, and jury deliberations
• [32:39] – Confession letters from true perpetrators
• [40:50] – Post-conviction appeals, recantations, and Innocence Project involvement
• [47:18] – New Missouri law allowing post-conviction exonerations
• [50:22] – Conviction overturned, Lamar is freed
• [52:03] – Discussion of compensation (or lack thereof) for exonerees
• [53:43] – Lamar’s public statement and future goals

Tone, Reflections, and Takeaways

Peyton and Garrett alternate between disbelief, frustration, and empathy for both Marcus Boyd’s family and Lamar Johnson. Their candid, sometimes irreverent banter highlights the emotional weight and social implications—the hosts are particularly passionate about accountability for wrongful convictions and the deep injustice faced by the wrongfully accused.

This episode ultimately delivers a sobering call to remember every victim: not only those who lost their lives, but those whose lives were stolen by a broken justice system.

Further Resources

• Innocence Project: To support or learn more, visit innocenceproject.org/takeaction
• Donations to help exonerees rebuild: Check local GoFundMes tied to innocence projects

End of summary. This episode is both a true crime investigation and a profound commentary on justice, compassion, and the urgent need for reform.