tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post4151228204488192784..comments2023-10-25T02:06:38.148-07:00Comments on Texas Death Penalty: On execution of Michael Dewayne JohnsonHooman Hedayatihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13174966445842575829noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-22554140927505742932013-04-12T22:20:12.681-07:002013-04-12T22:20:12.681-07:00Michael Johnson did it...I suggest all those who t...Michael Johnson did it...I suggest all those who think he didn't kill Wetterman to watch Cold Case Files from A&E, you'll see the truth in this tragedyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-4778483684757514882012-08-22T16:14:30.680-07:002012-08-22T16:14:30.680-07:00Good God, hasn't this sorry excuse for a state...Good God, hasn't this sorry excuse for a state not learned anything from the sham executions of David Spence, Carlos DeLuna and Todd Willingham??!! I find it incredible that a state within the United States in the 21st century still continues to use medieval methods to convict people on capital punishment trials. A person convicted (ESPECIALLY in a capital punishment hearing) ought to be judged guilty BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. This man clearly was not - as his prosecution knew full well and as the evidence now demonstrates. Furthermore, how on earth was his accomplice able to get a sentence of just eight years if he was supposedly convicted in the course of the same crime??! To insinuate that he deserved his fate because of things said in the court is NO excuse. Whilst admittedly being an undeserved retort for the victim's family, in light of what we now know, has anyone not stopped to wonder that this might well have been the outburst of a terrified and intimidated 18 year old man - barely more than a child - who was potentially being set up for something he hadn't done?? I really think Texas ought to try and drag itself out of the gutter that these farcical trials have now become. Even Russia (who the US ironically enough, continually berates for "Human Rights" issues)have moved on from the dark ages. Whilst I have not vehemently opposed DP in the past for serious criminals, Texas has proved that with its dire record of purchasing dubious testimony at all costs, its corruption, and the questionable intelligence of just about everyone involved in its CJS, the DP just cannot be trusted. Even an age of advanced DNA technology has not eliminated the ugly spectre of wrongful (or unlawful as I prefer to call them) executions. With this in view, the DP surely cannot stand. Many a pro-death advocate has even suggested that wrongful executions are a worthy sacrifice to ensure the continued existence of the system, but such a rhetoric can surely only be taken seriously if THOSE advocates are willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause that they so proudly uphold. In all honesty, no one has the right to demand such a sacrifice, not the government, not society and not even the victims' families, and this does NOT uphold the credibility of the DP, societal values or fight crime. <br />To an extent, the only consolation I can draw from this sorry affair is that this young man was able to regain control of his end, without the demeaning, gleeful and bizarre spectacle that an execution would have ensured. <br />Best wishes to all involved in this incident, as well as to everyone else caught up in the gruesome spectre of wrongful convictions. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-15731944167611649392011-09-25T00:54:23.957-07:002011-09-25T00:54:23.957-07:00Having just finishing watching this documentary on...Having just finishing watching this documentary on Michael, his story intrigues me.<br />Why up till this day was the signed confession used in the trial? It's absurd!<br />How can anyone with-hold this VITAL piece of evidence knowing that the outcome would bring unnecessary death. <br />Whilst watching, I took to my iPod and googled Michael Johnson in the hope to find him alive and well and true justice served but to see the word 'suicide'. My heart jolted and sank to the pit of my stomach. <br />I continued to watch the documentary to the end.<br />My heart goes out to the victims family, I understand how they feel cheated but I feel the wrong man was sentenced to death and to a death he had to carry out himself, which I also understand.<br />11 years was taken from him whilst his "friend" walks the streets freely,knowing what he had done and maintaining his innocence. Of course he can. Michael is gone. <br />Michael took his life because it was the only way to save himself. Last chance to actually make a decision on HIS own life. As drastic as it may seem it was far from cowardly. <br />Michael may have pulled the trigger but the fact remains that the trial was marred by evidence being with-held. <br />Why aren't lie detectors used? At least they would have got the right person. <br />I feel he was innocent, his last actions prove this. <br />All you people who are supposed to be looking out for prisoners welfare, don't let them down. Fight for them. The law is wrong, especially when the person never committed the crime. <br />R.I.P all involved.Yvenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-70899881983070696512011-08-06T08:19:32.772-07:002011-08-06T08:19:32.772-07:00I fully agree with the post and comment above. For...I fully agree with the post and comment above. Forgiveness is the only way forward. Who are we to say and judge, a murder for a murder? It does put us on the same step doesn't it?. I just watched this case for a second time together with my teenage kids, and they do agree, seeing the bigger picture, that death penalty should no longer be practice. I don't know what is like to lose someone in such a way like Jeff's family has. But here is what I do know, or feel very strongly about; Michael did send a message by taking his own life. <br />From personal experience I learnt that forgiveness is 'THE ONLY WAY' to keep moving forward. Two of my three girls have been raped in the same year and nobody ever has been brought to justice, the system is corrupt and fails us over and over to protect us and I don't need no longer the system to be happy. My only CHOICE was to forgive, it doesn't mean I excuse the act but it enables me to move forward. Forgiveness can lessen its grip on you and help you focus on other, positive parts of your life. By embracing forgiveness, you embrace peace, hope, gratitude and joy.No matter what anyone does to you, no one can take away from you your capacity to do well. You lose it only by willingly giving it up yourself.<br />The blog written speaks so much truth, and is powerful and its very beautiful.<br />I am neither or no longer a Christian, I believe we all are ONE- we are spiritual beings experience human life. We have come to life to assist each other, help and teach one another a life lesson. Yet many forgot and corrupt the system, deceit and lie for their own good consumed by greed and how much money they can make. Governments-Politics are lead by men possessed by greed and power trips so called EGO. In the past centuries has life changed, gotten better, have we as humans evolved, live in harmony and peace together, do we treat each other the same-equal? In fact what has changed- nothing exactly?<br />Each one of these senseless deaths, killings, rapes, murders is sending a message, a cry for change a cry for help that we no longer can continue on this distracted path we call life, including people on death row as the case of Michael. What is missing is morals, values and awareness of oneness teach these things in school and our kids might teach us a lesson at home. <br />I applaud the writer of this text for his courage for it takes courage to be courageous. It's too easy to judge, nobody knows what happen only the people present at the time and scene. <br />What I did see that even a jury can be blinded and a system that is corrupt. Too many cases of innocent people being in jail and death row come to light, for only light can cast out darkness, light always wins. Many still will die before someone really courageous reaches the top and make a stand that can no longer be ignore!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-80431533673498782152011-01-28T09:48:19.634-08:002011-01-28T09:48:19.634-08:00I came across this after searching for info about ...I came across this after searching for info about this man. Seeing his story on tv. The letter that is written here is truly beautiful. I am genuinely shocked by some of the responses it got. There was evidence to suggest the man was innocent, I personally am undecided. Some attitudes in america, in fact, all over the world are no different to lynch mob attitudes. Does a man or woman deserve to die because they verbally abuse someone regardless of who they are. No, absolutely not. In the Uk we have taken on many americanisms and I am grateful that the Death penalty is not one of them. Even in the bible it states eye for an eye is not acceptable, for such a religious nation there are many hypocrites. The Death penalty was stopped in the U.K decades ago, it was seen as barbaric. Am I questioning the intelligence of some, yes I am. It makes me angry that some people can't seem to think for themselves and believe what they are told by authorities. Let's get it right people, we know for a FACT, authorities get it wrong, often and is capable of corruption as we have all seen in our lives. So why do we put such faith in those who not only err, but make substantianal effort to cover up their mistakes. Courts are not infallible and there have been many cases of innocents being imprisoned or murdered by the state. It is against the law for an individual to kill in retaliation, yet those in power have that right? Does anybody not see a problem with that? Some states then have a right to kill whomever they decide is guilty? how is that ok? There are people on death row, who have learnt and grown as people who have sought forgiveness. I am not a christian, but I know of the bible and know a great deal of americans believe in God. Yet, after experiencing the loss of a loved one or a tragic incident, their faith fails them. Death penalty should be stopped worldwide. There is enough death in the world, enough anger and fear. Why should we condone it because our government states it is ok. Think for yourselves and try alittle empathy, as hard as it is. Forgiveness is the only way to healing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-11745854647101312682010-08-01T03:45:49.920-07:002010-08-01T03:45:49.920-07:00I do not believe that a murder needs to be punishe...I do not believe that a murder needs to be punished by murder that's ridiculous. No one really knows what happened that night apart from the victim and the two perpertraitors and it's not for us to judge. God Bless you Michael and may you make peace with Jeff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-63905187023590839732009-12-17T03:17:01.545-08:002009-12-17T03:17:01.545-08:00this man is not a cowered! he did not give the sta...this man is not a cowered! he did not give the state a change and satisfaction to murder him! i believe whole heartedly that michael johnson was an innocent man set up by a so called friend. the prosicution withheld the co defendents own signed confession... michael johnson was about to be murdered by the state of texas for a crime he did not do!!! yall need to take a long hard look at yourselfs!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-59317000086481080522009-01-31T11:41:00.000-08:002009-01-31T11:41:00.000-08:00As the state of Texas was cheated by the cowardly ...As the state of Texas was cheated by the cowardly suicide of Michael Johnson, I think you should kill yourself to atone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22223580.post-14293529423963412402009-01-30T07:24:00.000-08:002009-01-30T07:24:00.000-08:00You are wrong. I did get to know Michael Johnson, ...You are wrong. I did get to know Michael Johnson, I saw him every day in that trial. I saw as he walked over to the widow of the man he killed and the prosecutors and with evil in his eyes and voice said "Fuck you motherfuckers, you call all suck dick and die"--those were his words to the widow of the man he murdered. Dont picture that sick man as a "hero." You werent there to hear the facts of the trial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com