State of Missouri, Respondent v. Johnny A. Johnson, Appellant

Summary

The Supreme Court of Missouri affirmed Johnson's convictions and death sentence for murdering six-year-old Casey Williamson after abducting her, attempting to sexually assault her, and repeatedly striking her with a brick and boulder. The court rejected challenges to jury selection, voir dire limits, evidence of prior conduct, jury instructions, custodial statements, the charging instrument, closing argument, and the death sentence, applying prejudice-based or plain-error review where appropriate. Its independent review found that the aggravating circumstances were supported beyond a reasonable doubt and that the sentence was neither excessive nor disproportionate.