Oklahoma Executes Man Convicted of Beating and Burning Ex-Girlfriend and Her Infant Daughter

Summary

Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: Oklahoma Executes Man Convicted of Beating and Burning Ex-Girlfriend and Her Infant Daughter

Date: May 14, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes (iHeartPodcasts)

---

Overview of Episode’s Main Theme

This episode centers on the execution of 52-year-old Raymond Eugene Johnson in Oklahoma, who was convicted for the brutal 2007 murders of his ex-girlfriend, Brooke Whitaker, and her seven-month-old daughter, Kaya. Amy and T.J. discuss the specifics of the case, Johnson’s lack of last-minute appeals, his admissions and remorse, the impact on the victims’ family, and broader reflections on the justice system and death penalty.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Details of the Execution

• Unique Lack of Legal Resistance
  • Johnson made no last-minute appeals or attempts to delay or stop his execution, a rare occurrence in such cases.
    • T.J.: “He didn’t even try to stop the execution.” (02:03)
    • Amy: “No last minute appeals...They weren’t trying to get the governor to stay his execution.” (02:35)
• Timing of the Execution
  • The execution occurred in the morning (10:12am local time), which is uncommon.
    • T.J.: “Most of the executions we cover are planned for the evening time...it is rare.” (04:28)
    • Amy: “For some reason it seems strange...multiple times I checked...that they were doing a morning execution.” (05:12)
• Final Words and Demeanor
  • His final words: “Just forgive me and peace to everyone.” (05:21, Amy)
  • Johnson expressed regret and accepted responsibility for his actions.
• Execution Process
  • Executed by lethal injection.
  • No reports of complications or issues during the execution, unlike some past incidents.
    • Amy: “It does seem as of late, things have gone off fairly smoothly...” (05:45)

---

Details of the Crime

• Nature of the Murders
  • Johnson beat his ex-girlfriend with a claw hammer, causing over 20 lacerations while she was conscious and begged for her and her baby’s life.
    • Amy offers detailed, graphic recounting:

      “He beat her. She ended up having more than 20 lacerations on her face and her scalp. And here's the worst part—she was still conscious...begging him...to spare her baby, to think of her other children.” (06:47)

  • He then poured gasoline on both victims and set them on fire. Brooke’s baby died from burns, while Brooke succumbed to head injuries and burns later in the hospital.
    • Amy: “She died at the hospital later from head injuries and severe burn wounds. This is just one of those horrific, horrific murders.” (07:40)
• Johnson's Background
  • He had previously served nine of a twenty-year sentence for manslaughter.
  • He began dating Whitaker after release; she eventually obtained a restraining order against him, which tragically did not prevent the crime.
    • Amy: “She broke up with him, got a restraining order...and it didn’t protect her. Sadly, we hear about those stories all the time.” (08:17)

---

Johnson’s Remorse and Clemency Hearing

• Statement at Clemency Hearing
  • Johnson accepted full responsibility with no excuses, directly apologized to the victims’ family, and spoke of living a remorseful life.
  • Amy quotes Johnson:

    “It's a horrible crime. My worst moments of life. There's no versions of that story, just the horrible truth. But my crime doesn't define who I am. That defines a moment I deeply regret...No excuses, no justifications. A sincere apology...look how I've changed. I'm living a remorseful life.” (08:56)

• Clemency Denied Unanimously
  • The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied clemency 5-0. (10:01)
    • T.J.: “You’re being punished for the crime you committed, not for the man you became the years after that crime.” (10:05)

---

Victims’ Family Reactions

• Grief and Pain Expressed
  • Whitaker’s aunt struggled with the concept of forgiveness:

    “Some people say you should forgive. I don't know how to forgive this...I cannot forgive him for the way he tortured them. No remorse. He was stone cold sober. I don't know how to forgive that.” (16:05, Amy quoting aunt)

  • Whitaker’s eldest daughter, Logan, emphasized that execution would not bring closure or undo the pain but would permanently end Johnson’s ability to hurt them:

    “Executing him does not give my mom or my sister back...What it will do is finally stop him from continuing to hurt us.” (16:52, Amy)

  • The family’s prolonged struggle—nearly 19 years seeking justice. Whitaker’s mother, who campaigned for the execution, passed away before it occurred.
    • Amy: “Her mother didn’t live to see this day, but her daughter did. Her aunt did.” (17:53)

---

Hosts’ Reflections on Justice and the Death Penalty

• Complexity of Justice

  • T.J. and Amy remark on the moral and emotional complications of the death penalty, expressing sympathy for all impacted, but ultimately deferring to the victims’ families:
    • T.J.: “I still have this very difficult time saying somebody deserved something...we defer to the family of the victim. I will listen to them every time.” (15:16)
  • Amy: “You just can’t understand what that must be like to live with that knowledge.” (16:52)

• Acknowledgment of Broader Systemic Issues

  • Discussion of the high emotional toll, the lengthy delays in the process, and gaps in protective measures such as restraining orders.

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “He didn’t even try to stop the execution.” – T.J. Holmes [02:03]
• “No last minute appeals...They weren’t trying to get the governor to stay his execution.” – Amy Robach [02:35]
• “Just forgive me and peace to everyone.” – Raymond Eugene Johnson’s final words, relayed by Amy [05:21]
• “She was still conscious...begging him...to spare her baby, to think of her other children.” – Amy Robach [06:47]
• “There’s no such thing as a good murder, but this is one of the worst ones we’ve ever covered.” – Amy Robach [07:56]
• “It's a horrible crime. My worst moments of life. There's no versions of that story, just the horrible truth.” – Amy quoting Johnson [08:56]
• “You're being punished for the crime you committed, not for the man you became the years after that crime.” – T.J. Holmes [10:05]
• “I cannot forgive him for the way he tortured them. No remorse. He was stone cold sober. I don't know how to forgive that.” – Whitaker’s aunt via Amy [16:05]
• “Executing him does not give my mom or my sister back...What it will do is finally stop him from continuing to hurt us.” – Logan, Whitaker’s daughter, via Amy [16:52]
• “Her mother didn’t live to see this day, but her daughter did.” – Amy Robach [17:53]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• Johnson’s lack of appeals and execution details: [02:00–05:34]
• Gruesome details of the crime: [06:00–08:02]
• Discussion of prior history and clemency hearing: [08:17–10:05]
• Family impact and victim statements: [15:16–17:53]
• Reflections on death penalty and concluding thoughts: [15:16–18:20]

---

Tone & Language

• The tone is somber, reflective, and empathetic, consistent with the subject matter and the hosts’ usual sensitive approach to covering violent crime and its aftermath.
• There is a focus on factual reporting, but also acknowledgment of moral and emotional complexities, particularly regarding forgiveness, redemption, and the criminal justice process.

---

Summary

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes provide a thorough and sensitive account of the execution of Raymond Eugene Johnson, highlighting not just the details of this particularly brutal crime, but also Johnson’s unusual acceptance of guilt, his attempts at apology and remorse, and—most importantly—the voices and feelings of the victims’ family. The episode offers a snapshot of capital punishment in America, the struggles of affected families, and the unresolvable questions that persist in cases of extreme violence.

---

For listeners seeking a succinct overview of this episode’s subject or those interested in understanding how violent crime and capital punishment affect families and communities, this summary distills the original’s essence while capturing its most important details and nuances.

Transcript

[Amy Robach]

This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed human. If audiobooks are your thing or you've been meaning to listen to more of them, you should check out a podcast called earsay, the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club. Hosted by Cal Penn.

[T.J. Holmes]

Each episode spotlights standout audiobooks on Audible across all kinds of genres Sci fi, comedy, romance, thrillers and more. With Cal talking to guests who help break down what makes each story worth listening to.

[Amy Robach]

It's a fun, easy way to discover your next Great check out Earsay on

[T.J. Holmes]

the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about Mood.com that's M-O-Ood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com the that's mood.com to get started.

[Amy Robach]

Premier hosts on VRBO deliver quality vacation rental stays with fast responses and clear instructions. Oh, I had a question. Our host replied. Super quick Premier move. Wish I had a Premier group chat. They won't even write me back. Book a top rated stay with a Premier host if you know give herbo want to get more work done with less effort on TikTok. Creators are sharing AI automation tips that save time and deliver better results. Tap to discover try TikTok now.

[T.J. Holmes]

Hey there folks. It is Thursday, May 14 and a morning execution in Oklahoma. Raymond Eugene Johnson was pronounced dead just a short time ago and he didn't even try to stop the execution. With that welcome to this episode of Amy and tj. I wrote say that last part because we we cover a lot of executions and I can't think of maybe with the exception of one, but it wasn't like this. This guy didn't pursue any legal wranglings or try to get out of this execution date at all.

[Amy Robach]

No. No last minute appeals. Of course he went through the appeals process that most criminals do just upon a guilty verdict. But no, his attorneys weren't making those last minute appeals. They weren't trying to get the governor to stay his execut of that. We're talking about 52 year old Raymond Eugene Johnson. Yes. He was pronounced dead at 10:12am local time, 11:12am Eastern time. And he was executed for the 2007 gruesome murders of his ex girlfriend and her seven month old baby.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah, folks, you heard that right. Nobody was out there hooting and hollering at the top of their lungs about evidence or this being an innocent man at all. You have folks who are against the death penalty and we understand those debates, but this is, if you're going to have it, this is a case that many people could look at and say okay, I understand.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. And it sounds like, well, it doesn't sound like he absolutely accepted his fate. And I hope, we can only hope it gives peace to the family. He accepted responsibility. You don't often get that. Usually we're always a little surprised. But human nature kicks in. No matter who you are and despite the conditions, it might be on death row or knowing you're incarcerated for the rest of your life. Most folks on death row fight to the bitter end not to die. And a lot of them fight to the bitter end proclaiming their innocence. That's got to be tough. It's an extra, it's an extra burden for families to bear in the process of the death penalty process. Period. And he didn't do this to this family after he already did enough. Trust me, when you hear the details of this crime, at least at the end he admitted it and he went out knowing it and apologizing for it.

[T.J. Holmes]

You know, that's something and we've heard plenty of times throughout these stories that that does bring some, some level of peace. But this was carried out today. Lethal injection again there in the state of Oklahoma. I guess, Robe, there's some. I guess we should at least acknowledge that most of the executions we cover are planned for the evening time. But they can essentially put them whenever they want. I didn't see a specific reason for this, but I. They're just an understanding. Sometimes they do them earlier in the day to give them time. If there are some legal wranglings, if they can't get the lethal injection drugs right or whatever else, it just gives them the day because the death warrant will expire. But yes, it's rare. I don't know Robes, if it feels weirder to have an execution at 10am no time is a good time.

[Amy Robach]

But it seems, for some reason it seems strange. In fact, I checked it multiple times to make sure I was reading it right, that they were doing a morning execution, which, yeah, that is not typical. But we did just find out Raymond Johnson's final words. He said just forgive me and peace to everyone. Kept it short, kept it simple.

[T.J. Holmes]

No reports of anything untoward necessarily happening in there. We always the question sometimes with these lethal injection drugs, but nothing like that, at least coming out so far, no.

[Amy Robach]

And we haven't had it recently. I think it's fair to point out there was definitely a several years there where it just felt like there was. And I hate to use the word botched, but certainly uncomfortable, difficult, unnecessarily so executions that we were reporting on. And it does seem as of late, things have gone off fairly smoothly in terms of the lethal injection process in many of these states. But in terms of his crime, to get you up to speed, Raymond Johnson with his ex girlfriend. He was convicted of this and he admitted this. He. He beat his ex girlfriend with a claw hammer. Are you familiar with the claw hammer? What. What does. What is that? What is it used for? I'm trying to envision it.

[T.J. Holmes]

Oh. Oh, you didn't Google it already?

[Amy Robach]

No, I didn't actually, no. But I. I kind of wanted to see it in my head. So maybe I should have googled it because I'm not sure what a claw hammer is.

[T.J. Holmes]

It's graphic. It's just your regular hammer that has the hook in the back is a.

[Amy Robach]

So you can pull a nail out.

[T.J. Holmes]

It's a common hammer. Oh.

[Amy Robach]

But he turned it around and used the other side of it to beat her. So, yes, he. He beat her. She ended up having more than 20 lacerations on her face and her scalp. And here's the worst part. She was still conscious after doing this to her. She was begging him and he's admitted to this to spare her, to spare her baby, to Kaya, to think of her other children. She had three other children who were at school at the time, so she was a mom to four. So as she's begging for her life and at one point she even begged him to call 911 or to just call her mom to come get the baby. She just wanted her baby to live. He did not give her that. He then went and got a gallon of gasoline, threw it on her, threw it on the baby, and then had. He lit a. He lit a towel and threw it on them. The whole house went up in flames. And this is probably even one of the worst parts. Baby Kaya, they determined, did die in the fire. She did die from burn wounds, but Whitaker didn't die. She died at the hospital later from head injuries and severe burn wounds. So this is just one of those horrific, horrific murders. There's no such thing as a good murder, but this is one of the worst ones we've ever covered.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah. And I don't know what he has. He explained, right. A motive for something that's heinous. I mean, was he, Was there any claim that he was under the influence of something and lost his mind?

[Amy Robach]

Actually, no. And here's the deal. He was already out. He had already served nine years of a 20 year sentence for a manslaughter charge. So he had been a violent person. He had recently gotten out of prison, started dating this woman. She broke up with him, got a restraining order against him. And we can probably assume that he was upset about that, came back and she was scared of him. She was scared of him enough to get a protective order, and it didn't protect her. Sadly, we hear about those stories all the time. But Johnson did in his. He had a clemency hearing hearing, excuse me, last month in April. And he did give a little bit of just a sense of where he is now. And this is part of the argument a lot of folks make against the death penalty for letting folks live out the rest of their lives behind bars because they do oftentimes admit. And can they be redeemed? I don't know. That's for perhaps a higher power to determine. But he, he said this in his clemency hearing. He said, it's a horrible crime. My worst moments of life. There's no versions of that story, just the horrible truth. But my crime doesn't define who I am. That defines a moment I deeply regret. And then he apologized directly to the victim's family. He said, I apologize. No excuses, no justifications. A sincere apology. And to know that it's sincere, look at my actions, look at my life. Look how I've changed. I'm living a remorseful life. I'm living it.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah, we hear that often. And he was saying this, what, at

[Amy Robach]

a parole board hearing, a clemency hearing. He was fighting for his life in that moment.

[T.J. Holmes]

I don't think it went well for him at this clemency hearing.

[Amy Robach]

The clemency board denied his request in a five to nothing vote.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah, when you hear. I, I don't know how they gauge or judge sitting somebody in front of you, right? You're being punished for the crime you committed, not for the man you became the years after that crime. There is logic to that. There's logic to the other that that person does not exist anymore. So why are you punishing this other person who is 30 years and different? I don't know. Robes that is an interesting conversation to have, but it is too late to have it on his behalf. And when you hear the details of this crime, it's just you. It's hard to find redemption.

[Amy Robach]

Robes it really is. And to that point, look, we have talked often about how it is always so fascinating and it's interesting and I don't think anyone knows how they would feel until it happens to them. How the victims families react react to a death sentence, react to waiting for decades to see that death sentence carried out and then that moment when they know there actually is going to be some level of finality. And in this case, we heard directly from the Whitaker family, from this, this young mom's oldest daughter, and from her aunt. And when we come back, we will tell you what they had to say about executing the murderer of their beloved mom and their baby. S. If you're always on the lookout for a great audiobook or just want help figuring out what to listen to next, there's a podcast you should know about.

[T.J. Holmes]

It's called earsay, the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club.

[Amy Robach]

Hosted by Cal Penn, each episode takes a closer look at some of the most talked about new audiobooks on Audible, spanning a wide range of genres, from sci fi and literary fiction to rom coms, thrillers and comedy.

[T.J. Holmes]

Kyle is joined by guests who dig into what these stories are about, what makes them stand out as audiobooks, and why they're connecting with listeners right now.

[Amy Robach]

If you're looking for your next listen, this is a great place to start.

[T.J. Holmes]

Listen to Hearsay, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about Mood.com that's M-O-Ood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not Just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust. Delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Amy Robach]

Support is available 247 with VRBoCare. We're here day or night, ready whenever you need help. Because a great trip starts with the right support.

[Robert Smigel]

Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Jim Gaffigan to Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Who's the worst singer in the group? The worst? Yeah.

[T.J. Holmes]

Me.

[Robert Smigel]

Is there anything to the idea that because you're from Harvard you only got in because your parents made a huge donation to the group?

[T.J. Holmes]

The Yardbirds.

[Amy Robach]

Right?

[T.J. Holmes]

That's the name.

[Robert Smigel]

The Harvard Yardbird. They're open.

[Amy Robach]

Do you have a name suggestion?

[T.J. Holmes]

We're open.

[Robert Smigel]

Since you guys are middle aged, one erection. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Amy Robach]

Humor me.

[Robert Smigel]

I need some jokes to make me seem funny.

[Amy Robach]

Welcome back everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ where the state of Oklahoma has carried out the execution of 52 year old Raymond Eugene Johnson. It was a morning execution. He was pronounced dead at 10:12am he had a short and swee final words about forgiveness and peace. He apologized, he confessed and he asked for redemption for clemency that was not awarded to him. And so in these final days he did not fight. He didn't have his attorneys trying to get a stay for his execution. He wasn't asking for his execution to be overturned. No, he copped to the crime, he apologized for his crime and he paid for his crime today.

[T.J. Holmes]

Yeah Rose, and these are just saw you hear this crime. I. I still have this very difficult time saying somebody deserved something. Let's just. But man these days are just heavy when you we. We serum ceremoniously if you will kill people. And I get it and people have their proponents just that no matter what even hearing as awful as the crime was you still just. It's tough on these days but I often and we always do robes we Defer to the family of the victim.

[Amy Robach]

Absolutely.

[T.J. Holmes]

I will listen to them every time.

[Amy Robach]

Absolutely. And you asked me before the break if he was high on something or drunk. And look, by no accounts, no one has suggested that he was. And he certainly hasn't used that as an excuse. And actually Whitaker's own aunt referenced it in her statement. She said, some people say you should forgive. And it's interesting because he directly asked for forgiveness. In his final words, she said, some people say you should forgive. I don't know how to forgive this. I don't know how I can forgive people who hurt my feelings or steal something, but I cannot forgive him for the way he tortured them. No remorse. He was stone cold sober. I don't know how to forgive that.

[T.J. Holmes]

I don't. I'm sure there's some man of God, some pastor somewhere that could then walk you through that and how necessary it is for you to forgive. That is understandable. Every word. I would never sit down with her and say, you have to find a way to. I would never.

[Amy Robach]

No, you just can't understand what that must be like, to live with that knowledge. And to her, that point, Whitaker's oldest daughter, Logan, because she was a mom of four, so she lost her baby sister, she lost her mom while she was at school. And she said, executing him does not give my mom or my sister back, but it will not take away almost 20 years of pain. What it will do is finally stop him from continuing to hurt us. And both of those women referenced the fact, and this is really sad, that Whitaker's mom died 18 months ago and she fought to see this day. She wanted to live to see her daughter's killer and her granddaughter's killer executed. She had heart failure. She suddenly died 18 months ago. But that's. We've talked about this, how long it takes for our justice system to see it through, to see the punishment through to the end. This actually was 19 years. We've seen double that.

[T.J. Holmes]

This is on the short side.

[Amy Robach]

This is actually on the short side of things. But her mother didn't live to see this day, but her daughter did. Her aunt did. Other members of their family did. And to his final words, to his point, to what Johnson said, in the end, peace to everyone. That's the hope that this finally can give this family that suffered for nearly two decades, finally some peace.

[T.J. Holmes]

And as people are finding peace in Oklahoma in the morning, people are on the edge of their seat and waiting for another execution that was scheduled for later today. Robes that we're still standing by for what, a day in America, right?

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. We will keep our eye on the potential possible execution that could be taking place this evening in Texas, but we will of course keep you updated on all of that and everything else going on in the world. We always appreciate you listening to us, everyone. I'm Amy Robach alongside T.J. holmes. We will talk to you soon. If audiobooks are your thing or you've been meaning to listen to more of them, you should check out a podcast called Irsay, the Audible and I Heart Audio Book Club. Hosted by Cal Penn.

[T.J. Holmes]

Each episode spotlights standout audiobooks on Audible across all kinds of genres. Sci fi, comedy, romance, thrillers and more. With Cal talking to guests who help break down what makes each story worth listening to.

[Amy Robach]

It's a fun, easy way to discover your next great audiobook.

[T.J. Holmes]

Check out Earsay on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Mood.com Advertiser]

Let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com that's m o o dash.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Robert Smigel]

Dish has been connecting communities like yours for the last 45 years, providing the TV you love at a price you can trust. Watch live sports news and the latest movies, plus your favorite streaming apps, all in one place. Switch to Dish today and lock in the lowest price in satellite TV starting at $89.99 a month with our two year price guarantee. Call 888-D dish or visit dish.com today. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy not quite on Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier this week. My guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel help an acapella band with their between songs banter.

[T.J. Holmes]

Where does your group perform?

[Robert Smigel]

We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Robach]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.