Oklahoma executed a man on Wednesday for the murders of his ex-girlfriend and her 7-month-old daughter, a crime that occurred in 2005. Raymond Johnson, 49, was pronounced dead at 10:14 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester after receiving a lethal injection.
Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lashonda Thompson, 28, and her daughter, Jaliah Thompson. Prosecutors said Johnson broke into Thompson's home in Oklahoma City on October 23, 2005, and shot both victims. He was also convicted of burglary and arson for setting the house on fire.
In his final statement, Johnson expressed remorse and apologized to the victims' families. He also criticized the justice system, saying it had failed him. His attorneys had sought clemency on the grounds that Johnson suffered from mental illness and had a traumatic childhood, but the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied their request.
The execution was the third in Oklahoma in 2026 and the 14th since the state resumed executions in 2021 after a six-year hiatus due to concerns over lethal injection protocols. Oklahoma has executed more people per capita than any other state since the death penalty was reinstated.
Lashonda Thompson's mother, who witnessed the execution, said she felt a sense of closure but acknowledged that nothing would bring back her daughter and granddaughter. She urged the state to provide more support for victims' families.
The case drew attention to the ongoing debate over the death penalty in the United States. While supporters argue it serves as justice for the most heinous crimes, opponents point to the risk of executing innocent people and the disproportionate impact on minorities and the mentally ill.
