PERRY, Ga. (AP) — A man who spent 29 years in prison after pleading guilty to a deadly armed robbery has been acquitted by a jury in Houston County.

The Telegraph reports Timothy Johnson was granted a new trial after the Georgia Supreme Court overturned his conviction, saying there was nothing in the record to indicate Johnson understood his rights not incriminate himself and to confront witnesses against him.

The newspaper says Johnson had pleaded guilty in 1984 as part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Authorities say 24-year-old Taressa Stanley was shot during the 1984 armed robbery at a convenience store where she worked.

The newspaper reports many witnesses had died and others could not be located for trial. Jurors deliberated for about an hour before reaching a verdict.

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