Conviction Upheld for Condemned Garland Man

The state's highest criminal court has upheld the conviction of a Dallas-area man sent to death row for the burning death of a clerk set on fire during a convenience store robbery.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday rejected an appeal from 40-year-old Matthew Johnson of Garland.

He was condemned for the death of 76-year-old Nancy Harris, who was splashed with lighter fluid and set ablaze at the Garland store where she worked.

Security video captured part of the incident. Harris was able to describe the suspect before she died several days after the May 2012 attack.

Johnson's lawyers argued unsuccessfully there were 65 errors two years ago at his trial, including questions about jury selection, punishment phase testimony and the sufficiency and propriety of evidence.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us