Raymond Eugene Johnson was executed on May 14 after being convicted in the 2007 arson deaths of his ex-girlfriend, Brooke Whitaker, and her seven-month-old daughter, Kya. Trial evidence showed Johnson beat Whitaker with a claw hammer, doused the home with gasoline and set it on fire; Kya died in the blaze and Whitaker died days later. Johnson, who had a prior homicide conviction from 1995, had his clemency request denied despite apologizing and saying he had reformed through faith. The state attorney general characterized the killings as part of a long pattern of violent behavior.
Raymond Eugene Johnson Executed for 2007 Arson Killings of Ex‑Girlfriend and Her Infant
Raymond Eugene JohnsonCredit: Oklahoma Department of Corrections
An Oklahoma man convicted of setting his former partner and her seven-month-old daughter on fire was executed on Thursday, May 14. Raymond Eugene Johnson, 52, was pronounced dead at 10:12 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester after receiving a death sentence for the 2007 killings of Brooke Whitaker and her infant daughter, Kya Whitaker.
Case Details
Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder and arson in connection with a Tulsa house fire that left Kya dead from severe burns and Whitaker critically injured; Whitaker died of her injuries several days later. Court evidence presented at trial showed prosecutors alleged Johnson repeatedly struck Whitaker with a claw hammer, doused the home with gasoline and then set the blaze.
Johnson told investigators he had struck Whitaker during an argument in which she allegedly pushed him and brandished a knife. He also reportedly admitted he set the house on fire despite Whitaker pleading for help, saying he feared being returned to jail.
Criminal History and Sentence
Authorities and prosecutors noted an extensive criminal history for Johnson, including a prior homicide conviction in 1995 for the killing of Clarence Oliver. Johnson had been on death row since 2009 following his conviction and sentencing.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond: "Johnson is a heinous murderer who brutally attacked the mother and her baby. He has never taken full accountability for these unconscionable acts, which devastated a family and left three young children without their mother and baby sister. There must be justice for Brooke and Kya."
Clemency, Apology and Family Response
Johnson’s bid for clemency was denied. At his clemency hearing he apologized for his role in the deaths, said he had found faith while incarcerated and asked for the chance to lead others away from violence. "I killed two people who I loved dearly," he told officials, and asked to be allowed to "save more lives, stop more violence, and lead more men down the path of redemption." Prosecutors and the attorney general nevertheless opposed clemency.
Whitaker, 24 at the time of her death, was remembered by family as a devoted mother who gave great hugs. One of her children told the parole board that losing Whitaker has been a daily anguish and that she missed out on an entire childhood because of her death.
Context
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Johnson was the second person executed in Oklahoma this year and the 11th executed nationwide in the United States so far this year.
Note: This article presents details reported at trial and statements from prosecutors, the attorney general's office and court records.
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