Johnson — who was convicted of robbing a gasoline station and murdering three clerks almost 27 years in the past — was pronounced lifeless at 6:11 p.m. CT after the administration of a deadly injection, in response to Karen Pojmann, communications director for the Missouri Division of Corrections.
The petition from Johnson’s attorneys, which was submitted to Justice Brett Kavanaugh, argued that the 61-year-old had “introduced overwhelming proof” of his mental incapacity.
“This Court docket ought to keep Mr. Johnson’s execution in order that his petition for certiorari will be totally and pretty thought of by this Court docket. There isn’t any state curiosity in executing folks with mental disabilities. The steadiness of equities weighs in Mr. Johnson’s favor,” the appliance added.
“The state is ready to ship justice and perform the lawful sentence Mr. Johnson acquired in accordance with the Missouri Supreme Court docket’s order,” Republican Gov. Mike Parson stated.
The US Supreme Court docket had beforehand dominated in opposition to Johnson in Could, when he had sought to have his execution carried out by firing squad over fears that the state’s deadly injection protocol would possible produce excruciating seizures due to his mind tumor. Johnson suffered from epilepsy on account of the tumor and his attorneys argued that his situation can be exacerbated if he had been executed by pentobarbital, a category of medication recognized to provide seizures.
Johnson, in a handwritten final assertion shared with members of the media on Tuesday, stated partially: “I’m sorry and have regret for what I do.” He additionally stated he liked his household and associates and thanked his lawyer and people who had prayed for him.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/05/politics/missouri-execution-ernest-johnson-death-penalty/index.html | Ernest Johnson: Missouri executes man after US Supreme Court docket denies request for a delay