By Isabelle Wilson-
A man on death row declined to give a statement and have a final meal before his execution for murdering a police officer.
The 37-year-old killer was given the lethal injection on Tuesday evening at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri after he was denied a last-minute appeal by the U.S Supreme Court.
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His 19-year-old daughter was also refused permission to watch the execution as in Missouri witnesses need to be aged 21.
Johnson was handed the death penalty for the 2005 murder of officer William McEntee from Kirkwood Police Department, who he targeted in a revenge killing after alleging the cop did not do enough to save his 12-year-old brother’s life.
In a first for modern executions in Missouri, Johnson was not alone in the execution room, and was joined spiritual advisor Reverend Darryl Gray at his side who spoke with him until the drug was administered.
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The Reverend read from the Bible as Johnson shut his eyes, with his body movement ceasing shortly afterwards. After he was executed, the reverend continued reading from the Bible and praying while patting Johnson’s shoulder
His 19-year-old daughter was also refused permission to watch the execution as in Missouri witnesses need to be aged 21.
Johnson was handed the death penalty for the 2005 murder of officer William McEntee from Kirkwood Police Department, who he targeted in a revenge killing after alleging he did not do enough to save his 12-year-old brother’s life.
Johnson’s legal team did not challenge his guilt, but claim racism played a role in the decision to seek the death penalty and in the jury’s decision to sentence him.
The offer of a final meal was also turned down by Johnson ( Image: Missouri Department of Corrections)
His sentencing had prompted protests in the days and hours leading up to his execution, with many of the protesters opposing the use of the death penalty.
Johnson murdered McEntee in 2005. Credit: Kirkwood Police Department
The death penalty has long been controversial in the US, mostly because of the fact miscarriages of justice does occur.
Johnson’s guilt in this case is beyond dispute, but protesters believe he should not have been prosecuted.
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