ATLANTA -- Plans for the execution of Georgia inmate Marcus Ray Johnson moved forward after the Supreme Court of Georgia denied his appeal, Thursday
Johnson was put to death by lethal injection Thursday night just after 10 p.m. - two hours after his originally scheduled execution time.
The court previously denied his request to appeal a Wednesday ruling by the Butts County Superior Court. Johnson's attorney Brian Kammer tried to argue that new evidence shows the eyewitnesses testimony was unreliable and the state failed to disprove that someone else could have committed the crime. He hoped to delay the execution for 90 days to allow for additional DNA testing.
Johnson was convicted of raping and murdering Angela Sizemore in 1998. The crime happened four years after the two met at a bar. She was stabbed dozens of times.
Johnson made national headlines after his request for a six-pack of beer as his last meal was denied.
Instead, he was suppose to receive baked fish, cheese grits, beans, cole slaw, cookies, and fruit punch. He was the first inmate put to death in Georgia since Kelly Ann Gissendaner, who was executed in September despite pleas for mercy from prison guards, other inmates, and even Pope Francis.
Johnson declined a final prayer or a final word.
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