Former Houston County Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson is still in the fight—and his defense team is pushing forward at full force.
Former Houston County Assistant District Attorney Mark Johnson’s legal battle is far from over. In a rare and significant move, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has granted oral argument in Johnson’s appeal—a decision that effectively reopens scrutiny of convictions once thought final.
The development is being viewed by legal experts as a major “on-offense” victory for Johnson’s defense team. This high-profile defense team includes Dustin Fowler and Steve Etheredge of Buntin, Etheredge & Fowler, LLC, along with Attorney Jennifer Tompkins and J.D. Lloyd and Alisha McKay of the Law Offices of J.D. Lloyd.
The weight of this decision is best understood through the numbers. In the entire 2025 calendar year, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals granted oral argument in only eight cases statewide. Appellate courts typically decide the vast majority of cases based solely on written briefs. By granting oral argument, the court is signaling that the issues raised by Johnson’s attorneys require direct, adversarial examination in open court.
“This case is very much alive,” said a source familiar with the defense’s strategy. “The court does not take this step unless substantial, unresolved legal questions exist.”
The court’s decision to hear arguments suggests that the convictions are no longer insulated from challenge. Oral arguments are generally reserved for cases involving:
* Complex constitutional questions.
* Significant procedural issues in the lower courts.
* Legal precedents with far-reaching implications.
By forcing the case back into the spotlight, Johnson’s defense team has shifted the momentum. Rather than a routine denial, the case now enters a phase of heightened judicial examination, placing the legal and procedural foundations of the original trial under a microscope.
For Johnson, this represents a pivotal opportunity to dismantle the remaining pillars of the prosecution’s case at the highest appellate level short of the Alabama Supreme Court.
While the final outcome remains unsettled, one thing is certain: the signal from the court is unmistakable. The fight has not wound down—it has intensified.
And Johnson’s defense team isn’t backing down. They’re gearing up for a fight—and they’re ready to take it all the way.
My name is Greg Holland, the current Houston County Revenue Commissioner. I have qualified to run for my position for the upcoming election.
I have lived in Houston County all my life with exception of when I was in the United States Air Force serving in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
I am married to Christy Holland and have 4 children, Whitney, Dustin, Cameron and Abi.
I started working for the Houston County Revenue Commissioner’s Office in 1995 as a Field Appraiser performing property tax appraisals.In 1998 I was promoted to the position of Mapper maintaining the property tax maps and performing parcel maintenance in the GIS system.In 2011, I was promoted to the position of Chief Appraisersupervising the Reappraisal Department and performing ratio studies, cost index studies and land studies to establish property tax appraised values used to calculate property taxes from. In August 2024, Starla Moss, the previous Revenue Commissioner retired with 2 years remaining on her term. September 1, 2024, with Starla’s support, among others, I was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey, as Revenue Commissioner, to fill the remaining 2 years of Starla’s term. I have served in the office for 30 years in multiple positions and feel that I have the knowledge and experience in all aspects of the Revenue Commissioner’s Office to ensure that the appraisals are performed, assessments are applied and the taxes are collected in accordance to the Code of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Revenue’s guidelines.
I thank God for the career that i have had so far and I am asking for your support to vote for me, Greg Holland, for the office of Houston County Revenue Commissioner on May 19. 2026.
A former Brundidge Police Chief has been ordered to forfeit three residential rental properties after pleading guilty in a federal case involving fraudulent use of COVID-19 relief funds.
On January 21, a federal judge ordered Samuel Cornelius Green, 51, to surrender his interest in three rental properties located in Troy. The forfeiture follows Green’s guilty plea related to illegally obtaining funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
According to court documents, ERAP was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist households unable to pay rent or utilities and to reimburse landlords for unpaid rent. Prosecutors say Green submitted multiple fraudulent ERAP applications between March and November 2021.
Investigators allege the applications contained false information regarding tenants, rental agreements, and payment histories. In several instances, prosecutors say Green submitted counterfeit or altered utility bills to support the fraudulent claims.
In October, Green pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His co-conspirator, Schemillia Levera Fenn, also pleaded guilty to wire fraud for her role in the scheme.
On January 14, the court ordered Green and Fenn to jointly pay $118,175 in restitution to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Green was additionally fined $1,000.
FROM NEWLY APPOINTED HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE BART BOOTH’S WIFE
I am grateful to God and proud to congratulate my husband, Bart, on his appointment as District Judge for Houston County. Bart has been blessed with a servant’s heart, a deep commitment to the welfare of children, and a genuine compassion for others. I am confident that he will serve the citizens of Houston County with wisdom, integrity, dedication, and fairness, guided by faith and a strong moral foundation.
It is a true honor to be married to Bart and to walk beside him as he answers this call to serve.
One of Ricky’s employees and their family lost their entire home in a fire last night. Thankfully everyone is safe, but they are left with nothing.
We are reaching out to our community for help. Clothing donations are deeply and greatly needed for the family. If you’re able to help, even one item makes a difference.
Sizes needed:
Son
• Large shirt (10–12)
• Size 12 pants
• Size 5 boys shoes
Girls
• Large shirt (10–12) & size 5 girls shoes
• Size 7/8 shirt & size 12.5 girls shoes
Husband
• Extra large shirt
• 36×32 pants
• Extra large underwear
• Size 10.5 shoes
Wife
• Medium or large shirt
• Women’s size 8 pants
• Size 7 women’s shoes
• Medium underwear
Grandma
• Women’s small shirt
• Women’s size 1 pants
📍 Drop-off location:
Guaranteed Bail Bonding
106 N Lena Street, Dothan
You can also bring donations directly to me or Ricky.
🙏 Please share this post to help us spread the word. This family needs our support more than ever.
DOTHAN: This is video I took last evening of the fire on Moss Street at Mauldin Street. A vehicle apparently went through the dead end and into the garage, which then erupted in fire and caught the home on fire.
At the time of the vehicle striking the house there were children inside the home. They were able to escape the brning home. On arrival of Dothan Fire Department and Dothan Police, which was in literal miinutes from the call hitting Dothan 911, the fire was well involved.
Dothan Police apprhended some suspects on Church Street at Rollins that were possibly involved. Dothan Fire Prevention Investigators and Dothan Police Criminal Investigators were on the scene. NO ONE WAS INJURED. NO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING CHASED BY DOTHAN POLICE.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
Whomever is in charge of the American Red Cross, it is time to get your buttocks in gear. The call of this fire was around 10:50 PM. Within 30 minutes of less Dothan Fire Department requested American Red Cross be notified and respond to meet the immediate needs of the residents. Dothan 911 confirmed to Dothan Fire Department that American Red Cross was notified
This was within 30 minutes of the initial 911 call at about 10:50 PM. I remember hearing the radio traffic while on the scene but do not remember the times.
At 3:00 AM this morning I am woke up by friends of the family who lost everything telling me that American Red Cross had never arrived on the scene. That is about 4 hours after Dothan 911 called American Red Cross. This has happened before.
If American Red Cross wants to contiue for the public to give donations expecting people to be helped, then American Red Cross needs to get off their buttocks and provide responsive service. For parents with children, ay 6:00 AM it was 50 degrees or so, who lost everything but the clothes on their back, to suddenly be homeless and clotheless, no response to the scene within 4 hours is unacceptable. And I am aware this has happened before.
I do not mind the people calling me. I am NOTHING but a blog, web site, news person or a stupid bondsman. Been referred to as all of the above, and I really do not care what I am referred to as. But people call me and ask me for help or to get the government or ahencies to do their job. I do not get paid the six figure salaries as some do, they sleep all night and do not worry for such. But this is uncalled for by the American Red Cross.
My Number is 334-790-1729. TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729. Unlike government, I put my cell phone number out. The person who woke me up, does not bother me because I am here to try and help.
