UPDATE: Missouri death row inmate to be executed Tuesday

“Mr. Johnson has indeed forfeited his liberty by his criminal conduct, but he has not forfeited his humanity. I prayerfully ask you to consider that now Mr. Johnson is entirely removed from any participation in civil society and would remain so for life, even if his death sentence were commuted.”

The Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), a national advocacy organization that demonstrates against the death penalty and had praised the appeals court’s July 25 action, expressed disappointment Monday morning. 

“As Catholics committed to upholding the sanctity of all life, we are deeply disappointed that the courts have cleared the way for Johnny Johnson to be executed,” CMN’s executive director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy told CNA. 

“Like so many others on death row, Johnny has severe mental illness and developmental disabilities. His lawyers believe he does not even understand the reason for his looming execution. All executions violate human dignity, but in cases like Johnny’s, we see how the death penalty also targets some of the most vulnerable among us. We stand in solidarity with Catholics throughout Missouri and across the country who will pray and bear witness to this atrocity.”

Murphy noted that Johnson’s attorneys have argued that Williamson is too mentally ill to understand his punishment and ​​was off his medications and likely in a state of psychosis when he committed the crime.

“Johnny Johnson should not be put to death. As we see in Johnny’s case, the system of capital punishment is too broken, too cruel, too disrespectful of human dignity,” Murphy continued. 

“In a special way, we pray for the precious child, Casey Williamson, whose life was cut short by an act of terrible violence. We ask God to bring comfort and peace to her family, as they continue on their journey of healing.”

The victim’s father, Ernie Williamson, reportedly opposes Johnson’s execution. Johnson’s attorneys describe Williamson as “a deeply religious man, and he is guided by his faith, which directs love, not hate.”

St. Louis has a notable history when it comes to Catholic opposition to the death penalty. In January 1999, Pope John Paul II begged then-Governor Mel Carnahan to spare the life of Darrell Mease, a notorious triple murderer who was scheduled to die soon after the visit. The very next morning, Carnahan — a Baptist and a staunch supporter of the death penalty — officially commuted Mease’s sentence to life in prison, despite weathering political backlash.