Matthew Johnson executed for the brutal murder of gas station clerk
- Matthew Johnson was executed for setting gas station clerk Nancy Harris on fire during a robbery in 2012.
- Despite several unsuccessful appeals arguing his death sentence was unconstitutional, Johnson's execution went ahead as planned.
- This execution highlights Texas's status as the state with the highest number of executions in the U.S. this year.
In Texas, Matthew Johnson faced execution on May 20, 2025, marking the 13th anniversary of the brutal attack on Nancy Harris, an elderly gas station clerk. Johnson had committed the crime in 2012 during a convenience store robbery, where he poured lighter fluid over Harris and ignited her, ultimately leading to her death five days later from severe burns. Despite various appeals claiming his death sentence was unconstitutional, Johnson's attempts were dismissed by the courts. His execution is notable as it represents Texas's ongoing use of capital punishment, which has seen a significant number of executions this year. During the robbery, Nancy Harris was alone at the gas station shortly into her Sunday morning shift when Johnson entered, armed with lighter fluid and a cigarette lighter. After demanding money and stealing cash and merchandise, he set fire to Harris before leaving the store. The severity of her injuries was such that although she was able to provide a description of Johnson before succumbing to her injuries, the attack left her with extensive second and third-degree burns across significant areas of her body. As Johnson prepared for execution, he expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging the pain he caused and the choices that led to it. He was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the robbery, which he mentioned during his court appearance. Johnson's case had drawn attention not only for its gruesome nature but also in the broader context of capital punishment in the United States, where public opinion remains divided on its efficacy and morality. Texas, often referred to as the state that executes the most inmates, saw Johnson's execution as part of a series of four executions scheduled within a week’s timeframe, underscoring the state’s continued commitment to capital punishment. With Johnson's demise, the prosecution and the family of Nancy Harris saw a sense of closure, though the complex issues surrounding crime, punishment, and justice linger, prompting debates about the legality and ethics of capital punishment in modern America.