Matthew Johnson Execution

The state of Texas executed Matthew Johnson on Tuesday evening, 13 years to the day after he walked into a Garland convenience store with a bottle of lighter fluid, robbed a 76-year-old clerk, and set her ablaze. This heinous crime shocked the community and had a lasting impact on the victim’s family and loved ones.

The killing of Nancy Harris, a beloved grandmother, was captured by surveillance cameras. At trial the following year, the footage was shown to a Dallas County jury, which found Johnson guilty and condemned him to die. The evidence presented in court left no doubt about Johnson’s guilt, and the jury’s verdict reflected the severity of the crime.

Harris suffered “extensive” second- and third-degree burns and was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, where she died five days later. At trial, Johnson elected to take the witness stand, confessing to the crime and telling the jury he was intoxicated and had brought the lighter fluid to intimidate Harris, not to kill her. Despite his claims, the jury believed that Johnson’s actions were premeditated and deserving of the death penalty.

Strapped to the execution gurney, Johnson, 49, offered words of faith and contrition. He thanked God for the 13 years he had been given since the crime — years, he said, allowed him to return to his faith. This statement suggests that Johnson had time to reflect on his actions and seek redemption, but it does not excuse the harm he caused to Harris and her family.

Addressing Harris’ family members who had attended the execution, three of her sons among them, Johnson asked for their forgiveness. “To Mrs. Harris’ family, as I look at each and every one of you, I see her on that day,” Johnson said, adding he “never meant” to harm her. “I pray that she’s the first person that I see when I open my eyes, and I will spend eternity with her.” These words, while sincere, may bring little comfort to the family, who have had to live with the pain of their loss for over a decade.

Johnson also apologized to his wife and daughters, asking they “forgive me for giving up on y’all and walking away.” This apology highlights the ripple effect of Johnson’s actions, which not only destroyed the life of Nancy Harris but also hurt his own loved ones.

The Crime and Investigation

Harris had complied with Johnson’s demands, opening her register as he took cash, cigarettes, lighters, and a ring from her hand. Johnson ignited the lighter fluid he had poured on her head, setting her on fire, and grabbed candy on his way out of the store, according to court records. The brutality of this crime is shocking, and it is a testament to the bravery of the first responders who rushed to the scene to save Harris.

Two Garland police officers responding to an unrelated call noticed flames in the convenience store and rushed to the scene. One officer used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire on Harris, who was still conscious and able to describe her attacker, according to court records. The quick thinking and actions of these officers likely saved Harris’ life, at least temporarily, and helped to bring Johnson to justice.

Johnson was arrested after a brief foot chase with a police officer in an area behind the convenience store. The defense did not present any witnesses or evidence during the trial’s guilt-or-innocence phase, choosing instead to focus its case on the punishment phase, where Johnson elected to take the stand. This strategy suggests that Johnson’s team recognized the strength of the evidence against him and sought to mitigate the sentence rather than challenge the conviction.

Guilt was not in question

Johnson testified that he had smoked nearly $100 worth of crack cocaine, consumed alcohol, and taken Xanax in the hours leading up to the robbery, according to court records. This substance abuse may have contributed to Johnson’s actions, but it does not excuse them. The court and the jury considered these factors when determining Johnson’s sentence.

Johnson said he had a challenging upbringing shaped by abuse, drug use, and run-ins with law enforcement. His defense counsel argued his circumstances — including that he was father to three daughters — merited a sentence of life without parole, not the death penalty. While Johnson’s background is certainly troubling, the severity of his crime and the harm he caused to Harris and her family outweighed any mitigating factors.

Execution and Aftermath

The lethal dose began flowing into Johnson’s veins at 6:26 p.m. His body shook slightly as his breaths grew short and labored, sounding at points like he was snoring, before then fading. After nearly 30 minutes, a doctor examined Johnson and pronounced him dead at 6:53 p.m. The prison’s warden stepped forward and pulled a white sheet over Johnson’s face.

Harris’ sons were silent throughout the execution, exchanging only brief glances and the occasional touch — a hand on a shoulder, a nod of reassurance — as they witnessed the final moments of their mother’s killer. The family declined through a prison official to speak to reporters, likely preferring to grieve and process their emotions in private.

Execution requested by attorney general

Johnson’s appellate counsel unsuccessfully appealed his conviction and sentence in state and federal court, according to court records. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear arguments in the case, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office — not the Dallas County district attorney’s office — asked the presiding Dallas County district judge to schedule the execution date.

Johnson’s attorneys asked the judge to reject the request to schedule the execution, but the judge proceeded. No further appeals had been pending Tuesday in the hours before the execution. This suggests that all avenues for appeal had been exhausted, and the execution was carried out in accordance with the law.

A spokesperson for the Dallas County district attorney’s office declined Tuesday to comment on the execution. Johnson’s attorneys have not responded to requests for comment. In a news release after the execution, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office had worked to ensure Johnson’s death sentence withstood the appellate process.

Conclusion

The execution of Matthew Johnson brings a sense of closure to the family of Nancy Harris, but it does not undo the harm caused by his actions. The case serves as a reminder of the gravity of violent crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. As the state of Texas continues to carry out executions, it is essential to consider the impact on the families of victims and the accused, as well as the broader implications for justice and society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the nature of Matthew Johnson’s crime?

A: Matthew Johnson robbed a convenience store, set the 76-year-old clerk, Nancy Harris, on fire, and left her to die from her injuries.

Q: How did the investigation and trial proceed?

A: The crime was captured on surveillance cameras, and Johnson was quickly apprehended. He confessed to the crime during the trial and was found guilty, receiving the death penalty.

Q: What were Johnson’s final words before his execution?

A: Johnson apologized to Harris’ family and his own loved ones, asking for forgiveness and expressing his faith.

Q: How did the execution affect the families involved?

A: The execution brought a sense of closure to Harris’ family, but it also caused them to relive the trauma of their loss. Johnson’s family, including his wife and daughters, were also affected by his actions and his eventual execution.