Matthew Lee Johnson was given the death penalty after he brutally attacked 76-year-old Nancy Harris by dousing her in lighter fluid and setting her on fire during a robbery at a convenience store in Texas in 2012.
According to court records, Johnson had demanded Harris open the cash register right after pouring the flammable liquid on her.
After setting her on fire, Johnson fled the scene. Harris—who was a mother and a grandmother—was rushed to the hospital with severe burns, but despite medical efforts, she passed away just hours later.
Johnson was caught shortly after the incident. He admitted to the attack but claimed he never intended to kill her.
He told authorities that the lighter fluid was meant to scare Harris, and he had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crime.
