On Tuesday morning, August 1, Missouri death row inmate Johnny Johnson, 45, was put to death by lethal injection for the brutal abduction and murder of six-year-old Casey Williamson in 2002.
Johnson, who claimed to be a vampire and suffered from schizophrenia, expressed remorse to the young victim’s family as they witnessed his execution at the state prison in Bonne Terre, Missouri.
The incident occurred when Johnson lured Casey to an abandoned glass factory, carrying her on his shoulders before killing her with a brick and a large rock. Earlier that day, Johnson had attended a barbeque at Casey’s home, as her mother was best friends with his older sister. In the early morning hours, he lured Casey, still in her nightgown, to the deserted factory and attempted to assault her sexually. When she resisted and screamed, he brutally battered her to death.
During his trial, defense lawyers argued that Johnson’s schizophrenia had worsened after he stopped taking medication six months before the crime. However, in June, the Missouri Supreme Court denied an appeal based on the argument that his mental illness prevented him from understanding the consequences of his actions.
Johnson’s execution proceeded despite his recent claims of being a vampire and warning that the devil would bring about the end of the world upon his death. Former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch dismissed these claims as “nonsense” and affirmed that Johnson was fully aware of his actions.
Before his execution, Johnson enjoyed his last meal, consisting of a burger, curly fries, and a strawberry milkshake. He was pronounced dead at 6:33 am after a lethal dose of pentobarbital.
The execution of Johnny Johnson marks the 16th in the US this year, with Missouri, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama having conducted a total of 15 other executions.