Where is Greg Elking Now? 2024 Update & Background

Greg Elking emerged as a crucial figure in the case of Lamar Johnson, accused of murdering Markus Boyd in 1994. Elking, who was present at the scene of Boyd’s murder, initially identified Johnson as one of the shooters during the trial in 1995. This testimony significantly influenced the outcome of the trial, contributing to Johnson’s wrongful conviction. However, nearly three decades later, during a wrongful conviction hearing for Johnson, Elking revealed the pressures he faced from law enforcement at the time of the trial. He testified that St. Louis police detectives, particularly Detective Joe Nickerson, who led the murder investigation, coerced him into identifying Johnson. Elking described the detectives’ tactics as aggressive and bullying, stating that they implied he could be implicated in the crime if he did not identify a suspect.

Elking’s recantation and testimony about the pressure from police highlighted systemic issues within criminal investigations and the reliance on eyewitness testimony. His revelations came during a hearing spurred by a motion filed by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney under a new state law inspired by Johnson’s case. This hearing, which took place in December 2022, aimed to re-examine the evidence that led to Johnson’s conviction, including Elking’s initial identification and subsequent testimony. Elking expressed regret over his role in the conviction, stating, “I hate it, and I’ve been living with it for 25, 28 years. I just wish I could change time.”

The Aftermath of the Trial and Elking’s Personal Struggles

Following his involvement in the Johnson trial, Greg Elking faced numerous personal challenges, including divorce and continued struggles with drug addiction. These struggles eventually led to Elking’s incarceration for more than 10 years following a bank robbery conviction. His testimony during the wrongful conviction hearing shed light not only on the pressures he faced from law enforcement but also on his personal circumstances at the time of Boyd’s murder and the trial that followed. Elking revealed that he was in Boyd’s house to purchase crack cocaine, highlighting the complex web of relationships and circumstances surrounding the case.

Elking’s decision to come forward and admit the coercion he experienced from police during Johnson’s trial underscores the long-lasting impact of the case on his life. His actions also contributed to a broader discussion about the reliability of eyewitness testimony and the potential for miscarriages of justice. Elking’s involvement in the case, from key witness to a figure expressing remorse and seeking to rectify past wrongs, reflects the intricate and often problematic nature of criminal investigations and prosecutions. As Elking was cross-examined by prosecutors from the Missouri attorney general’s office, his testimony provided a crucial perspective on the mechanisms that led to Johnson’s wrongful conviction, highlighting the need for reforms in the justice system to prevent similar cases in the future.