x
Breaking News
More () »

At the last minute, eyewitness says death row inmate likely wasn't the shooter

Ray Jefferson Cromartie is scheduled to be executed Wednesday evening.

ATLANTA — In less than 24 hours, the state of Georgia is will execute a convicted murderer.

But at the last minute, an eyewitness is now changing his story.

Is it enough to save Ray Jefferson Cromartie's life?

"You're talking about a case with the ultimate penalty. If you now have eye-witnesses to the event saying 'that's not what happened. This person is not the shooter.' That's a huge factor in a death penalty case," said Defense Attorney Amanda Clark Palmer, who is not affiliated with this case.

RELATED: Condemned Georgia man launches another appeal for DNA tests

For 25 years, Thad Lucas has remained silent about that deadly Thomasville, Georgia night in 1994.

Lucas, who was the getaway driver that night, writes in a newly released affidavit, he overheard another man confess to the shooting.

"I keep hearing that Jeff Cromartie is the shooter, and I know that is probably not true," Lucas writes.

Here's what we know for sure:

Lucas, who is Cromartie's half-brother, drove Cromartie and another man, Corey Clark, to a convenience store where Clark and Cromartie planned to steal some beer.

But at some point, someone shot and killed the store clerk.

RELATED: Georgia death row inmate chooses final meal for second time

Clark testified against Cromartie, but Lucas says he heard Clark tell another man he shot the clerk that night.

"I have not wanted to talk about this before. I have not told anyone what Corey said about shooting the clerk because I was worried that it would ruin my life more than it already has," Lucas writes.

RELATED: Georgia death row inmate's brother fights for evidence to undergo DNA testing

All three men were sentenced to prison; Clark and Lucas are already out.

Clark is wanted on a probation violation and was unable to be reached for comment.

Cromartie's attorneys have filed a last minute appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

He's scheduled to be executed at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

MORE 11ALIVE HEADLINES

Colin Kaepernick to hold private workout in Atlanta this weekend, reports say

Documents reveal how Alexis Crawford was strangled to death

Remains of 7 Georgia WWII veterans, on shelf for years, finally laid to rest

Before You Leave, Check This Out