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NARRATOR

In 2004, the state of Texas executed Cameron Todd Willingham, convicted of starting a fire to kill his children. The arson evidence used against him has long been disputed by fire scientists. But recently, there was another dramatic turn in this controversial case involving the key testimony of jailhouse informant Johnny Webb. >> There was the testimony of Johnny Webb, who had been incarcerated at the same time as Willingham and who testified that Willingham had confessed the murder to him. >> That was one of the two pillars that sent Todd Willingham to the Gurney. >> But this year, that pillar-- Webb's account of Willingham's confession-- would be called into question. A document was discovered attached to Webb's court records. >> We come across a note that suggests very strongly that in fact, there was a deal provided to Johnny Webb. >> The note had never been seen by Willingham's lawyers. >> Johnny Webb was to get a reduced sentence based on, and it was abbreviated, "co-op in Willingham." And this was really the smoking gun. >> Any promises, any deal to Johnny Webb that was not disclosed to the defense could have been the grounds for a new trial, and it could have delayed his execution. >> The note had been found by the New York-based Innocence Project, a legal advocacy group. Before long, they received a telephone call from Corsicana. >> Johnny Webb's lawyer reached out to a lawyer working with the Innocence Project and indicated that his client finally, after all these years, would be willing to talk on tape and disclose what he knew. >> Since Willingham's execution, Webb had rarely talked about the case. In a 2010 interview with Frontline, he had stood by his testimony. >> But last month, Webb gave Frontline a new exclusive on-camera interview. >> Back then, I didn't think much about what I was doing. I was 22 years old. I had a lot of problems. And I didn't think about it. >> Webb claims that this time, he wants to recant. >> Willingham never, ever, not once told me that he killed his family. He never said that. I was told to say that. You know, I'm sorry I lied about it. I wish I could change that. I can't. >> He tells a story that he was approached in the jail by John Jackson, the prosecutor, and shown pictures of the kids and is told, "This guy is going to walk. We need your help." >> At the time, Webb was himself facing charges in a robbery case. >> And he says, "So they made me promises. "Promised that I would get taken care of, that they would get me out early." >> In a 2010 interview with Frontline, Jackson denied that he had ever made a deal with Webb. >> We offered him absolutely nothing for his testimony. Uh, we decided to use his testimony even though his credibility was subject to attack, but again, we felt that he had no real reason to lie about this particular... what we'd term a jailhouse confession. >> But Webb, who is now facing criminal charges in an assault case, tells a different story. >> I was with him three or four times over a period of a couple months. He laid out all the crime scene photos, the pictures of the babies and stuff. You know, he helped me construct a story. >> Jackson declined Frontline's recent request for a new on-camera interview. In a public statement, he has called Webb's story categorically false. But newly uncovered court documents reveal that Jackson did help Webb after he testified. >> A letter is sent by John Jackson to the classification officer at the prison, asking that Webb be given favorable prison treatment. >> And later, Jackson wrote to the parole board seeking a commutation for Webb. >> Beginning in the fall of 1995, we start to see what really can best be described as a full court press from John Jackson to get Johnny Webb out of prison. >> And

there's Webb's story about this man

wealthy Corsicana rancher Charles Pearce. After Webb testified, Pearce became his benefactor. Over many years, he put money into Webb's prison account, gave him tuition payments to diving school, and Webb says Pearce bought him a $10,000 pick-up truck. >> And Jackson said, "This is what I'm going to do for you. "I'm going to put you with Mr. Pearce. He's going to pay you." I mean, how much more blatant do you need it than that? >>

NARRATOR

Pearce died in 2008. But Webb has kept dozens of letters, some of which detail Pearce's connection to Jackson. Like this one, where Jackson writes to Webb, "Mr. Pearce and I visit on a regular basis concerning your problems." And another obtained exclusively by Frontline where Pearce writes about discussing Webb's situation with Jackson and encourages Webb not to recant his testimony, writing, "I'd hate to see Willingham get out. He is evil and deserves his sentence." >> You can't believe Johnny Webb just on his word. But when the documents corroborate what he's saying, that is when there is truth to the matter. >> The Innocence Project has filed a formal complaint against Jackson. And Jackson has filed a lengthy response with affidavits from witnesses disputing Webb's story. Jackson says that he was not involved in any payments Pearce may have made to Webb, but does admit giving Webb "extraordinary assistance," claiming he had an obligation to protect a witness from threats in prison. The Texas state bar is reviewing the matter. >> We can't bring Todd Willingham back. What's at stake here now is the perception of the system and the integrity of the system.