Press Resources
Background materials, legal filings, and verified information for journalists covering the conviction, clemency, and ongoing legal proceedings involving Rocky Myers.
Newly Uncovered Evidence Raises Questions About Rocky Myers’s Conviction
Rocky Myers was convicted of murder in Decatur, Alabama in 1994 despite a jury recommendation for life without parole. On February 28, 2025, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey granted clemency and halted his execution.
Archival research uncovered in 2025 reveals that Myers’s court-appointed defense attorney, John Mays, had documented ties to the Ku Klux Klan, including serving as the organization’s “Imperial Klounsel.” A Rule 32 petition now seeks to overturn Myers’s conviction and grant a new trial based in part on this newly discovered evidence. The District Attorney’s response is due March 16, 2026.
Journalists can access verified background materials and legal documents below.
For Reporters on Deadline
Start here for the fastest overview of the case.
Case Overview (PDF Download)
Concise briefing explaining the case, clemency decision, and current legal challenge.
Parallel Timeline (PDF Download)
Key events in the case of Rocky Myers alongside documented historical information cited in the petition regarding his court-appointed defense lawyer, John Mays.
Five Things to Know (PDF Download)
Quick reference guide summarizing the most important facts about the case.
Archival research documenting the defense attorney’s ties to the Ku Klux Klan, along with supporting documentation, is included in the Exhibits document linked below.
Additional context about the archival research is available to journalists upon request.
Quick
Facts
Defendant: Rocky Myers
Convicted: 1994 in Decatur, Alabama
Jury Recommendation: Life without parole
Sentence Imposed: Death
Clemency Granted: February 28, 2025, Governor Kay Ivey
Current Status: Rule 32 petition filed seeking to overturn the conviction and grant a new trial. The D.A.’s response is due by March 16, 2026.
Newly Uncovered Evidence: John Mays
Archival research has uncovered documented ties between Rocky Myers’s court-appointed defense attorney, John Mays, and the Ku Klux Klan, including writings and public speeches attributed to Mays.
These materials form part of the newly discovered evidence cited in the effort to overturn Myers’s conviction and can be found in the Exhibits document linked below. Additional context about the archival research is available to journalists upon request.
Key Background Documents
These materials provide journalists with a clear overview of the case.
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Case Overview
UPDATED 2026 | A concise briefing outlining the central facts of the case, the clemency decision, and the newly uncovered evidence.
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5 Things to Know About the Rocky Myers Case
A quick reference guide summarizing the most important facts journalists should understand when reporting on the case.
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Timeline of the Rocky Myers Case vs. John Mays Klan Ties
Key events in the case of Rocky Myers alongside documented historical information cited in the petition regarding his court-appointed defense lawyer, John Mays.
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Petition Seeking New Trial
RULE 32 Petitions | FILED AUGUST 2025 | Legal filing requesting that Rocky Myers’s conviction be overturned based on newly discovered evidence.
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Exhibits
RULE 32 EXHIBITS | Filed in support of the Rule 32 petition, including documentation cited in the effort to overturn Rocky Myers’s conviction.
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Motion for Additional Time
COURT FILING | Procedural motion requesting additional time for parties to respond to filings related to the Rule 32 petition.
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Emergency Motion to Prevent Spoliation
COURT FILING | Emergency filing requesting the preservation of potential evidence relevant to the Rule 32 proceedings.
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Order Denying Emergency Motion
COURT ORDER | Court order addressing the request to preserve potential evidence during the Rule 32 proceedings.
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Multi-media Assets
High-resolution materials available for use in reporting.
Media Contact
For interview requests, background information, or additional documentation email Amplify PR, Media Relations.