Johnson filed a number of legal appeals regarding his conviction during his time on death row in Texas, but all were ultimately denied,
Including those invoking mental competency reviews, criminal defense malpractice claims, and appeals for humane treatment during lethal injection procedures.
A Message to His Family—and the End
Prior to his death, Johnson apologized to his wife and daughters for “giving up,” saying:
“Just know that it’s nothing that y’all did. I made wrong choices, I’ve made wrong decisions, and now I pay the consequences.”
He continued: “I thank the Lord for the last 13 years. He has given me the opportunity to ask for his forgiveness, and I thank Him for His redemption.”
These statements, delivered in his final moments, have been cited in discussions about spiritual wellness, inmate redemption programs,
And faith-based emotional recovery in the U.S. prison system. “Welcome me, Father. Thank each and every one of you for being here. I’m done, Warden,” he concluded.
He also thanked prison staff “for helping me and treating me like a man and treating me with fairness and giving me the opportunity to get in right standings with my Lord.”
