The Missouri Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Johnny Johnson, a man sentenced to death for the 2002 murder of 6-year-old Casey Williamson in St. Louis County. Barring court intervention or clemency from Governor Mike Parson, Johnson's execution is scheduled for August 1st.

Johnson's legal team argued that his schizophrenia renders him incompetent for execution, claiming he doesn't grasp the connection between his crime and the punishment. They cited delusions about his death being linked to the end of the world. However, the Missouri Attorney General's Office disputed the psychiatric evaluation's validity, pointing to medical records suggesting Johnson manages his mental illness with medication. The Supreme Court concurred in a 6-1 decision.

Johnson was staying with friends in Valley Park when Casey disappeared in July 2002, prompting a large-scale search involving police and volunteers. Casey's body was discovered buried under rocks and debris less than a mile from her home. Johnson confessed to fatally beating her with bricks and rocks after she resisted his attempted sexual assault.

Missouri has carried out three executions this year, a number second only to Texas. The most recent execution was that of Michael Tisius, who was put to death on Tuesday for the murder of two jail guards during an escape attempt.