Attorney General's News Release

August 1, 2005

State Supreme Court sets Aug. 31 execution date for St. Louis man who beat his wife to death in 1989

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court today set an Aug. 31 execution date for Timothy Johnston (DOB - 1/17/61). Johnston was sentenced to die for the June 1989 beating death of his wife, Nancy, at the couple's St. Louis home. The office of Attorney General Jay Nixon represents the state in opposing Johnston's appeals.

Police and paramedics responded to an emergency call to the Johnston home on the night of June 30, 1989. When they arrived, they found Nancy Johnston's body, badly beaten. She was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed extensive blunt trauma injuries to her upper body, along with numerous broken bones.

Timothy Johnston had been seen earlier kicking and stomping his wife at another location by two witnesses. He told police that he had argued with his wife, chased her down when she tried to run away, and hit and kicked her. A neighbor told police she saw Johnston beat his wife with a lawn chair, then go back inside and return with another object with which to beat her.

A St. Louis City jury found Johnston guilty of first-degree murder and recommended the death sentence.

"The brutality of this murder was such that the jury determined that death was the appropriate punishment," Nixon said. "We will continue to fight any other attempts by Timothy Johnston to avoid his sentence."

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to the Press Secretary.

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