FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2022
For press inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Statement on the Execution of Murderer Matthew Reeves
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall issued the following statement tonight after the execution of Matthew Reeves at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama:
In November 1996, Matthew Reeves committed an act of cold-blooded evil,
brutally murdering a good Samaritan who stopped to offer Reeves and his
friends assistance after their vehicle broke down and stranded them on the
side of the road. In return for Willie Johnson’s act of kindness – offering
Reeves and his friends a ride and a tow to their destination – Reeves shot
Johnson in the neck with a shotgun, stole $360 from Johnson’s body, and
mocked Johnson’s last moments.
There can be no doubt that a jury of his peers correctly convicted Reeves of
capital murder, for which he was sentenced to death. While I regret that it
has taken 24 years for Reeves to finally receive his just punishment, tonight
justice has finally been served.
I ask the people of Alabama to join me in praying for Willie Johnson’s
family and friends, that they might now be able to find peace and closure.
Attorney General Marshall cleared the execution to commence at 9:05 p.m.
Matthew Reeves’ time of death was 9:24 p.m.
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