Johnny Ray Anderson

Case overview

Johnny Ray Anderson attempted to collect insurance money. He shot and killed his brother-in-law, Ronald Gene Goode.

The offence

Anderson shot and killed Ronald Gene Goode in connection with an attempt to collect $67,000 in insurance money. Anderson and his accomplices followed Goode into the woods after initially attacking him.

Other details

Anderson’s family included his sister, Anderson’s brother-in-law’s wife Laura Goode, Anderson’s mother Rowena Anderson, and a family friend Delvin Johnson. The account described Anderson’s sister and Laura Goode as plotting to kill Goode in an attempt to collect $67,000 in insurance money. It described that Anderson would receive the majority of the money for killing Goode, while Rowena Anderson and Delvin Johnson would receive some of the money for helping him.

The events described Anderson and Johnson driving out to a wooded area in Northern Jefferson County, stopping, and calling Goode. Goode arrived on the scene and got out of his car. Anderson shot Goode with a .410 shotgun. The narrative then stated that because Goode was still alive, Anderson beat Goode with the butt of the shotgun. Goode began crawling into the woods, and Anderson ran to Johnson’s car to obtain a 30.06 rifle.

The narrative stated that Anderson and Johnson followed Goode into the woods, where Johnson held a cigarette lighter so they could clearly see Goode well enough to shoot him again. The account stated that Anderson shot Goode twice in the head with the 30.06 rifle, killing him. The account then stated that Anderson and Johnson fled the murder scene.

The account stated that the next day police found Goode’s body and arrested Anderson and his accomplices for the murder.

Investigation

Police found Goode’s body the next day and arrested Anderson and his accomplices for the murder.

Trial

The Texas courts charged Anderson with capital murder.

In his defence, Anderson’s lawyer claimed that he had an extremely tough childhood. The account included a quote attributed to Johnson, described as Johnson testifying:

“They seemed to be a violent type family, always arguing and fighting amongst each other,” Johnson testified.

The defence stated that Anderson had an extremely low IQ of 70, apparently from having sniffed glue and gasoline since the age of five.

The account stated that the courts found Anderson guilty despite these defences.

Sentencing

The account stated that the state found Laura Goode, Rowena Anderson, and Delvin Johnson guilty of conspiracy of murder and that all were sentenced to life in prison. It also stated that the three conspirators were soon paroled.

The account stated that Anderson was executed for the murder on May 17, 1990.

Outcome

Anderson stood by his plea of not guilty up until his death. It included a quote attributed to Anderson:

“I just wanted the public to know that I am not guilty of this crime and am being used as a scape goat…”

Anderson’s last words were quoted as:

“I still proclaim I am innocent…”

Timeline

May 17, 1990 — Anderson was executed by lethal injection in Texas; at 12:30 am he was pronounced dead.

Aftermath

The account described Anderson as spending his last days on death row like any other day, including sleeping, watching TV, and talking with other inmates. It stated that upon arrival at the death house, Anderson visited with his brother-in-law and mother and ate his last meal consisting of three hamburgers, french fries, chocolate ice cream with nuts and iced tea.

The account provided Anderson’s death-row information as Offender: Johnny Anderson #732.

The account included a last statement attributed to Anderson:

“I would like to point out that I have written a statement and the Warden will give you a copy. I still proclaim I am innocent, and that’s all I have to say.”