Tennessee Executes Man Who Killed Three In Robbery

Tennessee carried out its second execution this year early Tuesday morning.

Cecil Johnson was sentenced to death for the 1980 killing of three people during a robbery of a convenience store in Nashville. Twelve-year-old Bobbie Bell was shot and killed, as were James Moore and Charles House. Two others were shot but survived.

Family members of the victims chose not to speak to the press.

Johnson’s brother, David, was among those present when Johnson received lethal injection.

“Cecil did not die in there. They didn’t take Cecil’s life. Cecil gave his life to God.”

Johnson’s execution marks the sixth in the state since it restarted its death penalty in 2000.