A Texas man was executed on Tuesday evening 13 years after brutally killing a beloved grandma when he set her on fire at a gas station.
Matthew Johnson, 49, was found guilty of the brutal murder of Nancy Harris, 76, a gas station employee he covered in lighter fluid and ignited during a 2012 robbery in Garland, TX.
He was pronounced dead at 6:53 p.m. after giving a final statement.
“First and foremost, I would like to give all praises to God. Without Him, I wouldn’t be here on this Earth. I am grateful for the life He has given me,” Johnson stated. “To Mrs. Harris’ family, as I look at each of you, I see her from that day. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness. I never intended to harm her. I hope to see her when I open my eyes, and I wish to spend eternity with her.”
Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville. (Google Maps)
“I harmed an innocent woman. I took the life of a human being. I was responsible for that. It was never my intention to kill or harm her, but I did,” Johnson confessed.
During his sentencing, Johnson 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, and he had no intention to kill her.
Johnson tried to appeal his death sentence, but his attempts failed.
Johnson’s execution will mark the fourth in the state this year and would bring the total number of executions in the U.S. to 18 so far this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
