Johnny Johnson is scheduled to be executed by the State of Missouri on August 1st at 6:00 pm at ERDCC Prison in Bonne Terre, MO, for the 2002 murder of 6-year-old Cassandra “Casey” Williamson. Johnny’s case highlights the troubling flaws in the mental health and justice system's treatment of individuals with mental illness. Johnny has struggled with developmental disabilities and severe mental illness all his life. Yet, despite repeatedly seeking treatment for his mental health symptoms, he never received the support and care he desperately needed to stabilize his condition.
Over the span of two decades incarcerated at Potosi Correctional Center (PCC), Johnny’s condition has worsened. A recent medical evaluation shows that Johnny lacks a rational understanding of the reason for his execution and therefore is incompetent to be executed.
Johnny's impending execution violates the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
Jefferson City - Noon, Governor’s Office, 2nd Floor Missouri State Capitol, The Missouri Catholic Conference. Contact wichmerc@mocatholic.org.
St. Louis- 3:00 PM, St. Louis City Cir Court, Market and Tucker, Will carpool to Bonne Terre, MO following. Contact Margaret: mphillips@igc.org
KCMO - 5:00 pm, 39th, and Troost. Contact Bob at ronan@ieee.org for more info.
Columbia - 5:00 - 6:15 pm, Boone County Courthouse. MADP + MO-FOR Contact Jeff Stack at 573-449-4585
Bonne Terre - 5:30 pm, Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC), Execution Vigil and Remembrance of Victims of Violent Crime, MADP, contact info@madpmo.org or call 816-931-4177
As the people of Missouri unite in solidarity to uplift calls for #ClemencyForJohnny we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. Johnny's case highlights the failures in our legal system, the profound human toll of the death penalty, and the need for alternative avenues to achieve justice.