Johnson, 52, was sentenced to death in 1993, when he was in his early 20s. Tried as a âdrug kingpinâ alongside two other men under the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act, he was convicted of seven murders â a shocking body count that many would associate with the âworst of the worst.â Yet the case would not likely end in a death sentence today. There was significant proof that Johnson had an intellectual disability, which should have forbidden him from being sentenced to death. But reviewing courts refused to consider the evidence. Regardless, Breedenâs task was not to judge Johnson for his crimes. As Johnsonâs spiritual adviser, his job was to prepare him to die. âI donât care who you are or what youâve done,â he said. âI think when youâre dying, life should give you the gift of being in the presence of somebody who cares, instead of just people who are paid to kill you.â Breeden knew that many on death row had little sense of self-worth. He shared with Johnson the tale of âThe Velveteen Rabbit,â about a boy and his beloved stuffed animal, which eventually comes to life. âYou become real by being loved,â Breeden said. Although Johnsonâs family had never come to see him on death row, they were in Terre Haute now. Several planned to witness his execution.