A man who killed three people vowed he will be going to 'heaven' in his chilling final words before being executed. Watch the news report below:
Ernest Lee Johnson stabbed, bludgeoned and shot three employees (Mary Bratcher, 46, Mable Scruggs, 57, and Fred Jones, 58) at a convenience store near his home in Columbia in 1994.
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He then hid their bodies in a walk-in fridge and used the stolen cash for drugs.
Johnson was sentenced to death for his crimes and yesterday (5 October), the day of his execution finally arrived.
Before being administered the lethal injection, the 61-year-old's final statement read: "If I am executed I know where I am going, to Heaven because I ask him to forgive me.
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"God [love] everyone. With respect Ernest L Johnson."
He then added: "I am sorry and I have remorse for what I do.
"I want to say that I love my family and friends, I am thankful of all that my lawyer has done for me.
"They made me feel love as if I was family to them.
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"I love them all.
"For all the people that has prayed for me I thank them from the bottom of my [heart].
"I love the lord with all my heart and soul."
The US Supreme Court previously refused to hear an appeal Johnson, who originally requested to be executed by firing squad.
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Johnson said that the lethal injection drug currently in use - pentobarbital - could cause him to have painful seizures, because of a benign tumour he had on his brain.
However, Jim Salter, part of the Associated Press, witnessed Johnson's final minutes of life.
He said: "His breathing became laboured.
"He puffed his cheeks once. He swallowed hard and within a few seconds, the process was over.
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"There were no visible signs of distress."
Announcing the execution order of Johnson, Republican governor Mike Parson said: "The state is prepared to deliver justice and carry out the lawful sentence Mr Johnson received in accordance with the Missouri Supreme Court's order."
Featured Image Credit: Missouri Department of Corrections