Lawyers in death penalty case say man believes Satan is using Missouri to execute him
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Death penalty in Missouri
Missouri executed four people in 2023. Amber McLaughlin, Michael Tisius, Johnny Johnson and Leonard Taylor, who maintained that he was innocent, all died by lethal injection. The state is one of five in the country that carried out executions last year.
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Attorneys have filed a federal appeal arguing that executing a man next week in Missouri would amount to cruel and unusual punishment.
Johnny Johnson is scheduled to die by lethal injection on Aug. 1.
The 45-year-old man was convicted in the attempted rape and killing of Casey Williamson, 6, in 2002 in St. Louis County.
Over the weekend, Johnson’s legal team filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit after cases before the Missouri Supreme Court and the Western District of Missouri were struck down.
They argue Johnson “does not rationally understand the reason for his execution and is not competent to be executed.”
Johnson, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager, was evaluated by Dr. Bhushan Agharkar, a psychiatrist, in February.
According to Agharkar’s report, Johnson has auditory hallucinations and believes he communicates with beings from another dimension he calls the “Underworld.” He also believes is a vampire and may be able to “reanimate” his organs if he eats food before his execution, the report said.
Johnson told Agharkar that Satan is using the state of Missouri to kill him and end the world.
Agharkar described Johnson as “quite psychotic and delusional” and concluded that he is incompetent to be executed.
In a response, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office said, “Johnson has engaged in a litigation strategy of delay.” A stay, attorneys with the office argued, would harm both the State and victims.
In previous responses, Bailey’s office has also argued that “Johnson will not be injured without a stay.” They cite an affidavit signed by prison counselor Ashley Skaggs who determined that Johnson’s auditory hallucinations “are well managed by medication” and that he “appears to understand the nature of his upcoming execution.”
Attorneys for Johnson said Agharkar is more qualified and has spent twice as much time evaluating him. They also argue that Skaggs’ involvement was a conflict of interest since she is employed as a contractor with the Missouri Department of Corrections.
A clemency application was submitted to Gov. Mike Parson’s office earlier this month. The application indicated that Williamson’s father supports clemency.
The state has ramped up executions, killing Amber McLaughlin, Leonard “Raheem” Taylor and Michael Tisius so far this year. Thirteen people remain on Missouri’s death row, according to the Corrections Department.
This story was originally published July 24, 2023 at 12:10 PM.
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