A Texas man convicted of a brutal 2012 killing was executed exactly 13 years after the attack that cost a beloved store clerk her life. The case, which spanned more than a decade of legal proceedings, continues to be referenced in discussions surrounding capital punishment, justice, and the impact of violent crime on communities.
The Crime and Initial Investigation
Matthew Lee Johnson, 49, was executed by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, for the murder of 76-year-old Nancy Harris, a longtime convenience store employee and great-grandmother from Garland.
The attack occurred during a robbery in May 2012, when Johnson entered the store, demanded money, and then covered Harris in lighter fluid before setting her on fire.
Despite suffering catastrophic burns, Harris survived for several days in the hospital. During that time, she managed to communicate with investigators, providing details that helped identify Johnson as the assailant. Her statements, along with surveillance footage and physical evidence, formed the foundation of the case that would ultimately lead to Johnson’s conviction.
Court Proceedings and Confession
During his 2013 trial, Johnson confessed to the attack and expressed remorse for his actions. His defense team argued that his behavior had been influenced by heavy crack cocaine use on the day of the crime. They also presented mitigating factors, including a long history of substance addiction and claims of sexual abuse during his childhood.
Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of capital murder. Under Texas law, the prosecution was required to demonstrate that Johnson posed a “future danger” in order to secure a death sentence—a standard that has been debated in legal circles for years. The jury agreed with the prosecution’s assessment, and Johnson was sentenced to death.
Appeals and Clemency Efforts
Over the years, Johnson’s legal team pursued several appeals, raising concerns about procedural issues, sentencing standards, and the constitutional questions surrounding Texas’ “future dangerousness” requirement. Despite these arguments, the courts upheld the sentence.
Shortly before the execution date, Johnson’s attorneys requested clemency from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. They pointed to his remorse, traumatic childhood, and long-term substance addiction as grounds for reconsideration. The board unanimously denied the request.
In the final days before his execution, Johnson’s legal team opted not to pursue a last-minute appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, effectively clearing the way for the sentence to be carried out.
Execution and National Context
Johnson was executed Tuesday evening in Huntsville, Texas. His execution was carried out on the same day as another in Indiana—Benjamin Ritchie—marking two executions in the United States within hours of each other.
The timing also stood out: Johnson died exactly 13 years to the day after the attack on Nancy Harris.
His execution was the fourth carried out in Texas in 2025 and the 18th nationwide. It came during a period of heightened execution activity across several states, including Florida’s execution of Glen Rogers and a scheduled execution for Oscar Smith in Tennessee.
Remembering Nancy Harris
Nancy Harris was widely known in her community as a warm, dependable presence. She had worked at the same convenience store for more than ten years and lived nearby, making her a familiar and trusted figure to local residents.
Her family described her as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had four children, 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Harris’s death left a profound emotional impact on her loved ones, made even more devastating by the nature of her injuries and the suffering she endured.
Community members held vigils, memorials, and remembrances in the weeks following the attack, honoring her life and legacy.
Aftermath and Ongoing Reflection
Matthew Johnson’s execution brought an official end to a long and painful legal chapter, though many acknowledge that the emotional wounds remain. For Harris’s family, the sentence represented a closing of the judicial process but not an end to the sorrow caused by the crime.
The case also continues to appear in broader national discussions surrounding the death penalty—particularly issues related to rehabilitation, trauma, sentencing standards, and the role of remorse in capital cases.
While Johnson expressed regret for his actions, the courts ultimately determined that the severity of the crime and its devastating consequences justified the maximum penalty under Texas law.