Think it can’t happen to you? I was picked up for questioning on a burglary charge. I asked the law enforcement people “what makes you think I did it”? Their reply” the burglar was wearing army socks”; I said “well that leaves me out, I was a Marine and I only had Marine socks”! Law enforcement said I knew what they meant and I said no I don’t! I’ve never committed a burglary in my life. I told em I wanted a lawyer and I wasn’t answering anymore questions. I was eventually released. For a little bit I could’ve been charged with a crime I knew nothing about. Innocent people do get convicted!

This happened to a man who lived near me. There was a murder of a barmaid in the bar after closing. Ray was seen just talking to her. It ended up being convicted and sentenced to death and spent 10 years on death row. Turned out a lawyer saw his case and his conviction was overturned due to DNA evidence. They then arrested the right guy and Ray was a free man and was awarded money for the state’s screw up. I hope he lives the rest of his life in peace and happy

He wasn't executed, he was murdered!

My heart just broke as I sat at my desk and sobbed! i couldn't imagine going through a whole day knowing I was about to die and would never see my family or my children ever again. truly heart breaking

The documentary is banned in the US while watching in the US.

Why am I watching this? I don't know why I do it to myself. Rip to all the innocent people that were wrongly executed. It makes me sick to my stomach. 😡😡😡

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Martin Luther King.

My wife was raised in a conservative household. She went to law school and completely changed her POV with respect to the death penalty. One of the things they taught was how it is better to let a murderer go free than to execute an innocent person. They studied many cases where innocent people were executed. Being convicted of any crime and doing time when you are innocent is horrible enough. Forget the death penalty.

This angers me. I’m tired of innocent men being incarcerated just to get a conviction. This is horrible. Those people will answer for this someday. Bless all involved.

He knew he was innocent but he didn't fight. He died with more class than a lot of people live.

I’ve never forgotten this Documentary, Edward I hope you found peace in heaven, and I’m sorry the world 🌎 deserted you in your hour of need .

This documentary is giving me so much anxiety but I refuse to turn it off because Edward Earl Johnson deserves everyone to hear his story

The warden became an opponent of the death penalty and quit his job not long after the execution.

Respect for the guy in uniform who from the outset wanted to display the upmost respect for his family in the situation. He was able to take a step back and see that any of them could be in their shoes. I don't know if he was doing that for the camera but he seemed to be a genuine, believable guy. I'm almost convinced at the end, he may have had his doubts whether an innocent man was put to death as he was addressing the press conference. He seemed to be struggling. Perhaps he thought it all along but didn't want to go on record as such.

Logically I know this happened long ago, but It's like your heart feels this intense urgency to intervene.. You know the inevitable ending, but somehow you still deny it like you were grieving the death of a friend.

Apparently they made a follow up to this, turns out he was innocent. The governor sure changed his mind. Terrifying and Heartbreaking.

This Warden is the most professional, empathetic man on the other side of the bars.

"I've just been with Edward Johnson's family and they asked me why. All I could tell them was that it's a sick world," Edward Johnson's lawyer after Johnson's execution

I started watching this documentary years ago but had to turn the TV off halfway through as I found it very upsetting. I’ve just watched the whole thing right through and was moved to tears. The state of Mississippi got it wrong. Edward Earl Johnson was innocent. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind an innocent man was executed. So, so sad😭😭😭

Watching this documentary had a profound impact on me . I believe this man is innocent and we need to abolish the death penalty. I been a conservative my whole life and still am and we need to do better, we need to eliminate the death penalty and have life sentence being the harshest penalty. As a white male who has lived and worked in many different states including Mississippi I have witnessed racism many times and I know this happens. Lastly I send prayers to this man's family and for his soul in heaven. Lastly we need to fix this because it ain't right

This Warden has integrity 👏 a strong character and respectful for bolth sides . Thank you Warden

12 minutes choking and suffocating on poisonous gas . How horrific dying must have been for Earl Johnson. 🕊Fly High man🕊

I can feel the heavy weight of anxiety and fear. The simplicity and naivety of this documentary makes it just that more powerful. The 80s were an interesting time. Tragedy consumes all of the personalities on both sides of this look into justice and injustice.

It's a SICK word! 🙌 Please humanity, we are family... how much more do we need to experience/ witness to finally wake up to the deception and see the game being played on us? With the heart we can change this reality, dissolve even the thickest bars of separation. Our creation holds infinite potentials. The suffering on this planet really must end... NO MORE! If we don't get our shit together soon mother nature will do it for us. Sending my love to anyone reading this... You're not alone 🌬✨💜✨

1:11:35 The strength it takes for a mother to hug the executioner that’s about to put her innocent son to death.... I can’t even imagine. We all talk about how horrible it would be to put an innocent man to death but this documentary ALLOWS US TO ACTUALLY SEE IT HAPPEN. This video shouldn’t be banned, it should be mandatory viewing.

How could this happen??? My heart broke...A lovely gentleman....I hope his after life is better to him than this one was...all my love to his family....mr Edward Johnson should never be forgotten .....xxxx

“Some that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Don’t be so quick to deal out death and judgment. Even the wise cannot see all ends.” -Gandalf the Grey Thank you JRR Tolkien for writing what we all should heed and put into practice in our own lives. May those who have had crime committed against them have the hearts to forgive. And may a higher power that sees into man’s heart deliver the justice required. ❤

At least he died knowing SOME people believed in his innocence, that handshake at 50:34 was powerful I felt that smmfh this sucks I can't believe im just now hearing about this

I have never cry so much, I new that Edward Johnson was innocent from the beginning. Damn America's death penalty, and America's law on the death penalty. Sweden

The state should be held for murder. This man was innocent and the prosecutor and jury should be arrested for murder. I hope they think about what they have done right before they sleep

12 minutes it took to die. I don’t believe for one minute he lost consciousness quickly either. That poor man

This is a HBO documentary that aired a long long time ago, I have it on VHS tape. It was called 14 days in May. It was produced by the BBC and was not banned. Whoever started the statement that it was banned is incorrect. Whoever posted this version, deleted the beginning credits from the BBC.

I wasn't really expecting much out of this but my goodness that was gut wrenching.

I heard that the prison director went on to become a fierce advocate against the death penalty.

I feel sick and numb after seeing this documentary. I pray for EDward and his family. What an Evil world. May God bless his family and Soul. RIP Edward 🙏

There was no way that a stay of execution for Edward would prevail, his lawyer saying that the judge had already made up his mind b4 he entered his chambers, tells you everything. Edward my brother, I'm so sorry for what you, your family and friends had to go through......the pain (I can never imagine.) must have been so unbearable but you held your head high and kept your dignity till the end. R.I.P bro.

One day, one day...i say one day justice will be done and all those who were involved in the murder of this inocent man will pay. RIP brave man.

My heart is bleeding inside 💔 rest in peace, brother

This makes me so incredibly sad. I have tears coming down my face. I have no words. Rest Peacefully Edward❤️

I am n p t only amazed by the calmness and courage that young inmate showed through that entire thing. But every prison should have prison director like that one. He had actual compassion not only for the prisoner but for his family and the victims and their families.

My last meal would be a valium. Lord have mercy

And to think, he was finally exonerated, all these decades after he was murdered

It boggles my mind that people think executing somebody is the solution. I have no doubt that Edward Johnson was innocent.

Executions Since 1976 : White Defendant / Black Victim (21) Black Defendant / White Victim (299) Jury selection is not random. The Justice system is flawed from the bottom up. Cops look good when they catch a so called criminal, prosecutors look good when they get the conviction and move up the ranks, politicians look good when they are heavy on crime. They are all in it for themselves. It's never a jury of your peers, it's a jury that will get the conviction and hand out the toughest sentence. Their success and recognition is more important than human lives. That's not OK, but has become the norm.

I wish I could be more like this young man. He was friendly, humble, and brave. He had balls os steel. The way he kept faith and faced his death with dignity and bravery is something to be admired. I suffer from treatment resistant depression and ptsd. I am constantly on edge and feeling like something horrible is about to happen any second. I hope I can learn to be a little more like this young man. I hope that whatever problems i am faced with in life that I can learn to deal with them in as brave and dignified way as him. I will think of him when I am faced with life's problems. I will remember him and how he dealt with the anxiety he surely felt. Rest easy Edward and thanks for the life lesson.

This is so tragic, listening to him tell his story is very upsetting.

This makes me so angry to watch. Our criminal Justice system is so corrupted and we need big changes for these men. And I can assure you it hasn’t changed since the taping of this documentary.

This is heart breaking. I have no words to describe how I feel.

I watch quite a bit of death row documentaries like Death Row stories and kind of have an instinct of telling if someone is innocent or not. I truly believe Edward was framed and targeted due to racism. RIP Edward. You're in a better place now.

The police men who forced him into confessing and all the other scum involved should have been charged with murder .

How sad! Prayers to Edward and his family 🙏🙏🙏🙏

thanks for posting this documentary remember this case and remember seeing this documentary on its original air date growing up in the UK .

I'm so sorry for this senseless loss to his family and loved ones.. I'm so dissapointed in the corruption of these people who threatened him into a false confession.. this makes me so sad.. May he be living in paradise with The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords Jesus.. I pray for the comfort and peace of his Mother and family..

I have about 5 minutes left to watch and I am amazed how mature, brave and strong this young man is being. I truly believe he is innocent also. God bless him and his family. Rest In Peace Edward Earl Johnson. 😢❤️🙏❤️😢

I was in a female prison in London UK in 98 1st time and I always remember one of the prison officers saying it could happen to anyone even her. She said she could be on her way home and something could happen where she ends up on the other side of the bars.

He stayed all this time with such a dignity…respect!

Could you imagine sitting inside of a 6*9 cell block watching the 5 o'clock news, Knowing the exact time that you will be leaving this earth indefinitely?! how can one process those thoughts? OMG Just the thought of this hypothetical gives me uncontrollable Anxiety!!!😥😢

Breaks my heart this. Such a decent bloke with a weird combination of humility, grace and balls.

This was a TV documentary that was first aired In the mid 80's, The lawyer is British, I remember a while later he was on radio talking about Death row and the amount of people on it many of whom are innocent. I've been looking for this for years ,thanks for the upload

A gas chamber! How sadistic. How cruel. How bad. How poor. I hope someday all involved state officials will held accountable for the murder THEY committed!

Can't get this man out of my mind. We didn't learn a damn thing from his death. God bless his family.

What happened with the 60 year old woman they say he robbed and tried to assault? She said it wasn't him....they just ignored that! So disgraceful, horrendous and torturous to this brave man and his family.

RIP Edward Earl Johnson (June 22, 1960 - May 20, 1987). Thank you Edward, your courage to allow this production has saved lives. Since Edward's murder, by the state of Mississippi, thirteen states have abolished the death penalty. It made a difference! It should be noted that the documentary was made by the BBC, a British organization. As well, it took British lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, to at least make sure Edward would not be forgotten. He also wrote a piece called "No steps forward for some: Edward Earl Johnson at sixty" on July 8, 2020 that provides more details into story. Sadly, it took a foreign lawyer, and foreign news organization to muster enough courage to document plight of Edward Earl Johnson. No American news organization, or media outlet had the courage to document the full story. Another well documented case of the horrors of execution is that of Cameron Todd Willingham (January 9, 1968 - February 17, 2004) . As the story goes, he was a possibly innocent American man who was convicted and executed for the murder of his three young children by arson at the family home in Corsicana, Texas, on December 23, 1991. Getting it right is not worth the price of getting wrong. We can point to cases like Timothy McVeigh, and Ted Bundy, where it's quite certain they were vicious murderers. McVeigh admitted it. Budey denied it. But you'll be hard pressed to find anyone who claims they were innocent. Still, they we're both executed, and the media portrayed it in a morally defunct way. They turned both instances into a celebration of sorts. It was barbaric and portrayed a chilling end of life in celebratory fashion. Like a hanging in town square. This type of mentality is what perpetuates executions. Just like Clive Stafford Smith said after Edward's execution: “It’s a sick world. It’s a sick world.”

There are def inmates who deserve the death penalty, this gentle man was totally innocent. He was bullied into a confession at 18yrs old. It disgusts me. But they way the warden and staff treated him and his family was so professional and caring. They are a credit to there profession. Its the system that let this man down. Its so heartbreaking. No wonder they banned this, they dont want ppl to see the ugly side of executing an innocent man... RIP Edward, you didnt deserve this... may your soul rest with our lord...

I remember this documentary now. When saw it the first time it was in black and white. I was studying criminal justice. I cannot believe he was so calm. I still don’t agree with this type of punishment for anyone.

I spent 10 years in the Louisiana prison system. 1 of the very many things I learned about lifers and death row inmates is after all their appeals are up they know their lives will end there. They admit anything to anyone that they get cool with. Mr. Johnson was an innocent man that was executed wrongfully.

Wow! Utterly horrendous 💔 this poor young man. I don't even know what to say. Absolute disgrace 💔. Does anyone know if they caught the real murderer? This poor boy was murdered. Just heartbreaking 💔 RIP Edward, I'm so sorry to you & your family 🙏💖

I was always pro capital punishment I never thought I would change my mind after seeing this doc WOW did this doc change my mind

Leaving a stay of execution to the ‘wire’ is the definition of cruel and unusual...

The 5th circuit court denied his appeal before even hearing it. WOW! I used to agree with the death penalty. Not now my heart is broken for this man and his family. I wish i could see these peoples faces that did this to him when they are in front of god on judgement day and are being judged for murdering this man instead of doing the right thing. Im at a loss for words. But hes now in heaven a much better place than we are thats the only good thing about all this

Said prayers for you Edward. Deeply affected by this. This video has changed my life forever entirely! Prayers that were too late I know but I was four years from being born. I will see you in heaven bro.

I feel so sorry for this man and his family.. I'm glad Australia does not have the death penalty, although some people deserve it, usually they get taken out some other way..

MY FAMILY COMES FROM MISSISSIPPI AND I DON'T SEE THIS YOUNG MAN DOING WHAT HE IS ACCUSED OF TO ME HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH HE IS A VERY GOOD FELLOW AND DON'T DESERVE THE DEATH PENALTY OR TO BE IN PRISON AT ALL.

This is a horrific event that took place. He was wrongly put to death and it makes me sick to my stomach to think about what was going through his mind. Bless his family!

There is something off this whole situation, he is so calm, passive and appears to be intelligent that it's hard to tie him with that level of violence he was convicted of. I'd bet my last breath they killed an innocent man. Truly heart breaking to watch.

I moved from Thousand Oaks California to Houston Texas and let me tell you they don’t mess around in Texas! They have signs all up and down the freeways in red white and blue that say “ Don’t mess with Texas !” And they mean it !!! The death row house is straight up I-45 in huntsville and although this documentary doesn’t take place in Texas it’s very similar to what goes on there with the prison work gangs out in the fields and the officers on horse back… the prison busses full of inmates going back and forth and the attitude of the community about the death penalty. All I’m saying is don’t move to the south and think you can commit a crime and get away with it.

RIP warden . I know after this execution he spent his remaining time fighting against the death penalty , this one messed him up .

As implemented in the United States, the gas chamber is considered to be the most dangerous, most complicated, and most expensive method of administering the death penalty. The condemned person is strapped into a chair within an airtight chamber, which is then sealed. And the person suffocates to death the most painful way to die suffocates and burns inside his throat and airway no matter how much he tries to breathe he cannot because the gas binds to the cells and suffocates them. this is the most horrific way to die

This is one of the most tragic injustices I have ever heard. Mr Johnson was so gentle, so full of peace , so beautiful. How do these prosecutors , judges and police officers live with themselves? And why didn't that woman speak up earlier???

My heart is broken for this man and his family. God be with us all

And wow the point he made about the numbers on death row who can't afford a lawyer is bang on. Having money or not affects your chances massively in the US.Even in 2020 the amount of inmates on death row that are minorities or had no money for a lawyer is huge compared to being white or having money, even comparing death sentence to life sentences. Equality in the justice system should be a given, not a myth by now. Hearing the lawyer say basically if all of the case was put in front of a court now it would basically be thrown out. But cos of press/public opinion ect, what's "fair" won't happen screams lack of justice.

I had such a hard time watching this. My heart just broke for this man and his family. To all the police, judges, governors and anyone who played a roll in killing this innocent man I hope you have your day in court. Whether it be in life or on judgment day in front of God. This is why I'm so against the death penalty.

bro is a poet....."10 days... have i ever been this close to death before" i say "dont take what u can never hope to pay for without your life"

An absolute penalty in an admittedly imperfect judicial system. Seems wrong, doesn’t it? To think the judicial position in America was ‘they would rather let 9 guilty people go free than to punish 1 innocent man’. Clearly incarceration is big business in America.

it's kinda funny how they call it punishment instead of revenge like it really is

Right from the beginning of this video I knew in my heart that he was innocent. Those cops that pulled over on the side of the road and told him that he should say that he "just got out of the car" and then told him to "just sign" the confession without knowing what it said should have been given the death penalty in my eyes. This whole case was just so wrong. He did not deserve that. Too many black men are given the death penalty or life without parole just because they are poor and black and don't have the money for good attorneys. And I am a white woman saying this. It's a shame that the Innocence's Project wasn't available back then, but, sure am glad we have it now...if they could just take on more cases.

This is extremely heavy. I recently saw it for the first time. I think they may have executed an innocent man. As i recall, after it was over, a witness came forward with exculpatory testimony. Day late, dollar short.

Worked in a factory once had varnished floors,shiny machines and everything spotless.A girl on her first ever job was just gushing over how wonderful it was.......a week later she figured out how much work made things so wonderful.Parchman has the most beautiful fields and gardens of any farm but if I was an inmate arriving there I'd be crying because you'd know who spent daylight to dark in those fields.

Absolutely horrible...to execute an innocent man!!! Warden is a good man

Wow. I’m so shocked by how calm and mature he is about this situation.. this entire case has moved me. Also, Hats off to the warden, he is now a fierce advocate for non capital punishment

I'm telling you as an African-American woman we black people have been labeled as being inferior violent and dangerous but I promise you we are some of the most loving forgiving non-violent people on earth and we always hold on to the faith of God hoping that he will give us strength than allow us to cope with everyday life when just as disasters happen and that is exactly why his mother hugged the Executioner because she knows that him to as a man in charge of killing people will have his day judgment day before God

The family is so respectful!the ladies made hugs in the end and even to the mans who put him in death raw!

Every May 20th I light a candle for Edward. I found this documentary having seen Clive Stafford Smith speak at a conference. Edward didn’t do this and he didn’t deserve to die in that hell hole. The warden did another execution after Edward and left to become a professor at a college vehemently against the death penalty. Edward had a beautiful soul and he saved the life of his friend Sam because Clive took on his case. If you want to know more then google Clive you will find all his books and articles and for one donate to the ‘Reprieve’ monthly. Fly high sweet Edward my heart breaks whenever I watch this documentary and I know everyone involved felt their lives had been enriched by knowing you but they could not save you

Very sad that there is someone guilty of this crime who got away with it

This is So CRUEL 😡😡😡What did the RABBIT 🐇 do??????

When you recognise that the prison system in the US is a huge business, you'll understand why they arrest and incarcerate so many innocent people.

Such a monumental tragedy. RIP Edward.

Absolutely devastating and sickening... when his family sang “Always” to him... omg I balled my eyes out... This was a travesty

I think they executed an innocent man. If he was guilty, I believe he wouldn't have claimed his innocence right up until the last moment. Then to hear of that woman trying to tell folks he was with her, only to be told to go home and mind her own business...? I'm disgusted and heartbroken.

This documentary is heartbreaking, and terrifying. Mississippi, corrupt cops, unreliable identification, and a man who quite possibly was totally innocent is put to death!! Someone comes forward who was with him at the time of the crime and can provide an alibi, but is sent away and told to "mind her own business". Individuals including the warden believe that he's innocent, but are unable to do anything to save this man's life. I hope that those responsible for this injustice are haunted every single day of their lives. Rest in peace among the angels young man.