“I just wanted the public to know that I am not guilty of this crime and am being used as a scape goat…” Anderson proclaims.  Up until his death, Anderson stood by his plea of not guilty. 

However, court records show that Anderson’s sister and the victim’s wife Laura Goode, his mother Rowena Anderson, and a family friend, Delvin Johnson, all plotted to kill Goode in an attempt to collect $67,000 in insurance money.  Although Laura Goode was the beneficiary, Anderson would receive the majority of the money for killing Goode, while Rowena Anderson and Johnson would receive some of the money for helping him.

Anderson and Johnson  drove out to a wooded area in Northern Jefferson County  where they stopped and called Goode.  Goode arrived on the scene and when he got out of his car, Anderson shot him with a .410 shotgun.  Because he was still alive, Anderson beat Goode with the butt of the shotgun.  Goode then began crawling into the woods and Anderson ran to Johnson’s car to obtain a 30.06 rifle. Anderson and Johnson followed Goode into the woods, where Johnson held a cigarette lighter so they could clearly see the Goode well enough to shoot him again.

Anderson shot Goode twice in the head with the 30.06 rifle, killing him.  The two then fled the murder scene.  The next day, police found Goode’s body and arrested Anderson and his accomplices for the murder.

The Texas courts charged Anderson with capital murder.  In his defense, Anderson’s lawyer claimed that he had an extremely tough childhood.  “They seemed to be a violent type family, always arguing and fighting amongst each other,” Johnson testified. 

The defense stated that Anderson had an extremely low IQ of 70, apparently from having sniffed glue and gasoline since the age of five.  This tactic, however, did not keep the courts from finding Anderson guilty.  The state also found Laura Goode, Rowena Anderson, and Delvin Johnson guilty of conspiracy of murder and all were sentenced to life in prison.  The three conspirators were soon paroled.

Anderson spent his last days on death row like any other day.   He slept, watched TV and talked with other inmates.  Upon arrival at the death house, Anderson visited with his brother-in-law and mother.  He ate his last meal which consisted of three hamburgers, french fries, chocolate ice cream with nuts and iced tea.

At 12:30 am on May 17, 1990, Johnny Ray Anderson was pronounced dead.  “I still proclaim I am innocent…” were his last words.