John Conner, Georgia

John Conner, Georgia

July 14, 2016

John Wayne Conner was executed by the state of Georgia on Friday, July 15, 2016. John was pronounced dead at 12:29 am local time, inside the execution chamber at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Georgia. He was 60 years of age and executed for the murder of 29-year-old James T. White on January 10, 1982, in Milan, Georgia. John spent the last 33 years of his life on Georgia’s death row.

John’s family had little money while he was growing up. His father would often physically abuse John after drinking heavily. John had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, beginning in his teenage years. According to John’s mother, John had attempted to commit suicide several times since 1981.

On January 9, 1982, John Conner and his girlfriend, Beverly Bates, went to a party with J.T. White. While at the party, they were all smoking marijuana and drinking. Around midnight the trio returned to the house Conner and Beverly shared. Shortly after midnight, J.T. and Conner left the house to try and get more alcohol.

While walking, Conner alleged that J.T. made a comment about wanting to have sex with Beverly. The comment outraged Conner, who began attacking J.T. J.T.’s body was found the next day in a drainage ditch. It was later determined that J.T. had been severely stomped, with several bones broken in his face. He ultimately died by drowning in his own blood.

When Conner returned to the apartment he shared with Beverly, he woke her up saying they had to leave. He told her that he had fought with J.T. and that he thought he had killed him. Conner burned the shirt he had been wearing. Beverly and Conner were arrested later that day. Conner had no injuries from his alleged fight with J.T.

Please pray for peace and healing for the family of James White. Please pray for the family of John Conner.

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