Texas man executed for setting grandma on fire at gas station 13 years ago
A Texas man was executed on Tuesday evening, 13 years after brutally killing a beloved grandma by setting her on fire at a gas station. Matthew Johnson, 49, was convicted of the heinous murder of Nancy Harris, 76, a gas station clerk he doused with lighter fluid and set on fire during a 2012 robbery in Garland, TX.
Johnson, who was pronounced dead at 6:53 p.m. after giving a final statement, expressed remorse and sought forgiveness from the victim’s family. “First and foremost, I would like to give all praises to God. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here on this Earth. I thank him for the life he has given me,” Johnson said. “To Mrs. Harris’ family, as I look at each and every one of you, I see her on that day. I just please ask for y’all’s forgiveness. I never meant to hurt her. I pray that she’s the first person that I see when I open my eyes, and I will spend eternity with her.”
In his final moments, Johnson also apologized to his wife and children, admitting his wrong choices and decisions. He addressed his fellow death row inmates, urging them to follow Jesus as the only way. Johnson was 36 at the time of the fatal attack that took place exactly 13 years ago.
Court documents revealed that Johnson walked into the convenience store where Harris was working, armed with a bottle of lighter fluid and a cigarette lighter. After stealing cigarettes, lighters, and cash from the register, Johnson poured the lighter fluid on Harris and set her on fire before fleeing the scene. Harris, who had worked at the gas station for over a decade, passed away five days later but was able to provide a description of Johnson to the police before her death.
During his 2013 trial, Johnson admitted to setting Harris on fire, expressing remorse and calling himself “the lowest scum of the earth.” He testified that he had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol during the robbery, claiming the lighter fluid was only meant to scare Harris, not kill her. Johnson’s appeals against his death sentence were unsuccessful.
Johnson’s execution marks the fourth in Texas this year and the 18th in the U.S. so far. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price, a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covers topics such as missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
