James Johnson has an unlikely critic — his former defense attorney.

In comments published last week on NCWanted.com, Johnny Gaskins said Johnson's actions after the murder of Brittany Willis were illegal, Titan Barksdale reports. His comments were also broadcast on television in an interview by NCWanted, a show owned by Capitol Broadcasting.

Johnson, 22, was jailed for three years for the 2004 murder of Willis. Johnson was freed in December pending a review of his case, and the murder, rape and kidnapping charges against him were dropped because of a lack of evidence.

Prosecutors then charged Johnson with accessory after the fact based on his statement that he cleaned his own fingerprints from Willis' SUV.  After killing Willis, Kenneth Meeks — Johnson's friend —drove her SUV to Johnson's house to pick him up.

Gaskins legal opinions about a former client's guilt or innocence, are unusual. 

As part of his attorney-client privilege, Gaskins says he knows every detail in the case and believes Johnson would be wise to strike a plea deal, and avoid a trial on the charge of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. "That's what I believe should happen, so everyone can stop," Gaskins said.

The comments have shocked Johnson's father, Arthur Johnson.

"I found it unethical," Johnson said. "It's an ongoing case."

Gaskins did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Johnson is scheduled to make a court appearance in June in the accessory case.