Johnny Dale Black Executed: 'This Isn't Accomplishing Anything,' Convicted Murderer Says in Final Moments
Johnny Dale Black was put to death in Oklahoma by the Department of Corrections for the 1998 murder and battery of Bill Pogue, a horse trainer who was apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time. Black told his mother he loved her and that his death accomplished nothing before passing away.
"This isn't accomplishing anything," Black said to his mother and members in the gallery, which included members from Pogue's family. "It's just another death, another family destroyed. I love everybody. I love you. You can count on that, Momma."
Those were his last words as the drugs were administered. Black took a few deep breaths before closing his eyes a final time. He was pronounced dead at 6:08 p.m. Central Time.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
In 1998, Black and his brother, Jimmy, approached Pogue's car after mistaking it for the car of someone they were looking for. He and Jimmy were among a group of five men looking for a man allegedly having an affair with a friend's wife. The group ran into Pogue, who drove to a convenience store with his son-in-law, Richard Lewis, and beat the men before stabbing them more than 10 times each.
Lewis managed to survive the brutal attack, but Pogue succumbed to his wounds, leaving his family angry and seeking some form of justice. Black, meanwhile, fled to Texas but was arrested and confessed to the crime, though he said he was protecting his brother.
Black's family petitioned for his death sentence to be converted to life in prison without parole, but that petition was not granted. Pogue's family countered with a petition to carry out the execution.
"What will bring justice in this tragic case? How can atonement be made for this hideous murder? No mercy was shown to Bill on that fateful night. He got no second chances at life. I ask you, board members, let justice be done," Pogue's widow, Lonnetta wrote to the board.
"I deserve to be punished for what I did, but not for defending my family," Black told the board in November.
Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced that Black had been sentenced to death by a jury "for the murder of an innocent grandfather and upstanding member of the community" after the execution was carried out.
