JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: In a heart-wrenching case that has captured the nation's attention, Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced on Monday, July 31, that the state will proceed with the scheduled execution of Johnny Johnson on Tuesday evening, August 1.

Who is Johnny Johnson?

Johnny Johnson has been convicted of the gruesome abduction and murder of six-year-old Casey Williamson. The 45-year-old man stands accused of the heinous crimes in Casey's hometown of Valley Park, St Louis County, in July 2022.

Despite Johnson's attorneys raising claims of his mental incompetence, seeking clemency or a halt to the execution, Governor Parson firmly denied the clemency request, stating that a variety of courts had previously rejected the claim, Local 10 reported.

Casey Williamson's heart-wrenching story began on July 26, 2022, when she fell victim to Johnson's unspeakable actions. The young girl, who showed incredible bravery, fought against Johnson's vicious assault before tragically losing her life. Her murder sent shockwaves through the community, leaving her loved ones shattered. “Johnny Johnson’s crime is one of the most horrific murders that has come across my desk,” Governor Parson stated. "Although this won’t bring her back, we hope that carrying out Johnson’s sentence according to the Court’s order may provide some closure for Casey’s loved ones.”

Clemency pleas and grieving family

In an effort to halt the execution, Johnny Johnson's defense team implored the US Supreme Court to intervene, while also asking Governor Parson to grant clemency, reducing Johnson's sentence to life imprisonment. They argued that Johnson's mental illness rendered him unable to comprehend the connection between his actions and his impending execution. However, Parson denied the clemency request, pointing out that various courts, including the original trial judge and the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals, had previously rejected Johnson's incompetency claims.

In a clemency petition, Johnson's attorneys highlighted the opposition to the death penalty by Casey's father, Ernie Williamson. Nevertheless, other family members urged the governor to proceed with the execution. One of Casey's relatives, Della Steele, passionately appealed to Governor Parson, emphasizing the gravity of Johnson's actions and the pain they caused. Steele expressed how Casey's death had led to destructive consequences for her family, stating, "Please stand strong beside Casey. Remove this threat from our presence. Send the message that it is not okay to terrorize and murder a child."

Horrific details of the crime

The tragic details of Casey's abduction and murder reveal the chilling nature of the crime. Johnson had known the Williamson family for years, having been childhood friends with Casey's mother. On the fateful night, the family allowed Johnson to stay at their home. However, he betrayed their trust, luring Casey to an abandoned glass factory, where he carried out the fatal assault. Despite Casey's courageous resistance, Johnson brutally killed her using a brick and a large rock, attempting to cover up his heinous act by washing off in the nearby Meramec River. Johnson confessed to the murder the same day and was later convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and attempted rape in 2005.

Mental incompetency claims

Johnson's attorneys have argued that he was suffering from active psychosis at the time of the murder, rendering him not competent to be executed. They have pointed to his developmental delays caused by a brain disorder during childhood, along with a history of trauma, including physical and sexual abuse. Johnson was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 16 and continues to hear voices, believing that Satan is behind his impending execution.

Democratic Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Cori Bush have joined the call for clemency, citing extensive evidence of Johnson's lack of understanding regarding the reasons for his execution. “There is extensive evidence that Mr Johnson does not have a rational understanding of the reasons for his execution,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter. That said, if the execution proceeds, Johnny Johnson will become the fourth person executed in Missouri this year and the 16th nationwide, The Kansas City Star reported.