Who was Matthew Lee Johnson? Texas Executes Man Who Set 76-Year-Old Woman on Fire During Robbery in 2012

Matthew Lee Johnson, a 49-year-old Texas man, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday evening for the murder of 76-year-old Nancy Harris, whom he set on fire during a robbery in 2012.

The execution took place at Huntsville State Penitentiary, over 13 years after the brutal attack in the Dallas suburb of Garland.

What Happened in 2012?

On May 20, 2012, Johnson entered a convenience store where Harris was working her Sunday morning shift.
He poured lighter fluid over her, demanded cash, and then set her on fire before fleeing the scene. Harris was severely burned, but managed to describe the suspect before dying days later in the hospital.

Surveillance footage partially captured the attack, and Johnson was arrested within an hour.

Final Words Before Execution

In his last statement, Johnson said: “I just please ask for y’all’s forgiveness. I never meant to hurt her.”

He also made a chilling remark, expressing hope that Nancy Harris would be the first person he sees in the afterlife: “I pray that she’s the first person I see when I open my eyes, and I will spend eternity with her.”

He addressed his family, asking his wife and daughters for forgiveness: “I made wrong choices. I’ve made wrong decisions. Now I pay the consequences.”

Legal Battles and Appeals

Johnson’s legal team had argued his death sentence was unconstitutional, claiming he was wrongly labeled a future danger to society. They also challenged the legality of the execution date. However, all appeals were denied.

Prosecutors maintained that Johnson showed no mercy and calmly walked away after setting the elderly woman ablaze.

Who Was Nancy Harris?

Nancy Harris was a great-grandmother and a longtime worker at the Garland store. Her tragic death shocked the community and left a lasting impact on her family.