On Friday afternoon, a death row inmate at Varner SuperMax prison in Arkansas was pronounced dead. The inmate, Latavious Johnson, was in his 40s, and the cause of death remains undisclosed, as the Arkansas Department of Corrections has refrained from providing further details.
Johnson’s incarceration stemmed from two significant crimes. Initially, he was serving a life sentence for the murder of his father, Johnnie Johnson, which took place in 2000. His circumstances escalated in 2012 when he was sentenced to death for the murder of Barbara Ester, a prison guard. Ester became a victim when Johnson stabbed her three times with a homemade weapon, ultimately piercing her heart. She was conducting an inquiry regarding unauthorized possession of gym shoes by Johnson within the prison premises.
During subsequent police interviews, Johnson expressed regret over his decisions. Records show that he reflected on the situation, stating his remorse for escalating matters over something trivial. “I should have just given the shoes up, just said to hell with it, asked someone to send me some money and order me some more,” Johnson reportedly admitted. He recognized too late that different choices could have altered his path.
In honor of Ester, a correctional facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas bears her name, serving as a solemn reminder of the tragedy that occurred on duty. Such incidents underline the challenging and often perilous environment that correctional officers face while carrying out their duties. As the investigation into Johnson’s death continues, the prison community reflects on these events and their lasting impact.