I grieve for Elias Ocean Johnson whose young life ended far too soon – almost before it began – and far too brutally. I tremble as I seek to imagine what his last moments were like – what his few months were like.
I grieve for Dana Johnson, his mother and all who loved Elias.
I grieve for Christopher T. Johnson who reportedly testified to, and was convicted of, killing Elias. Alabama executed Johnson this evening.
I grieve for the prison personnel called upon to take Johnson’s life; I grieve for those who love them.
Johnson did not want anyone to block his execution and he filed no appeals. What he said he did appalls me and offends me. The cruel, violent act that took the life of baby Elias also violated and brutalized our society.
Yet, in my grief, I also believe that by taking Johnson’s life, the state – our society – has also been wounded and diminished. Our willingness to take a life for a life appears an act of vengeance – not of justice – not of restoration – not of seeking some new possibility out of an act of evil.
I do not know what should happen to those who kill our sisters and brothers, however old, however young. That grieves me, too. But I am sure that capital punishment is not the answer.
See you along the Trail.
Related articles
- I wonder (graybeardtrail.wordpress.com)
- Alabama man’s last words before execution: ‘Game over’ (ctv.ca)
- Four on the death penalty (graybeardtrail.wordpress.com)
Along the Graybeard Trail 