Hoka Hey is a Western Sioux Indian term which loosely translates to “hurry, hurry”. CRIME: Samra and a friend, Mark Duke, were convicted of capital murder in the deaths of Duke's father, the father's girlfriend and the woman's two elementary-age daughters in 1997. He used his last words to proclaim he was innocent of murder. 14 of 24. His last words were "I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti. He was hanged on June 25 for piracy and killing the captain of a slave ship. “I love you.”-Sean Patrick Flanagan A known I'm ready.". The book documents the final words of death row inmates in the United States, from the seventeenth century to the present day. Most of the killings happened inside his ranch house where most of the victims were also buried. … You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Asked about his last words, Redding said he did have something to say but not at that time. Market data provided by Factset. December 3, 2020 1 Comment. Here are some of the most bizarre last words from death row inmates moments before their execution. As Coble was finishing his statement, his son, a friend and a daughter-in-law became emotional and violent. After killing a prison employee at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, he was sentenced to death by hanging. Their last words when they were finally put to death will seriously creep you out. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. From Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and Timothy McVeigh, some of the most notorious criminals in history have been put to death. Villegas was convicted of killing his girlfriend, her son and her mother in their home in Texas. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Patrick Bryan Knight was executed by lethal injection on June 26, 2007, for the murder of his two neighbors. Standing at 6-foot-7, James Jackson was known to his fellow inmates as “Big Jack”. But in the case of prisoners facing the death penalty, the most popular choice of words have always been “I’m innocent!”, regardless of whether or not they truly are. For his final meal, he requested for SpaghettiOs but was instead given spaghetti with meatballs. Rumors abound that he drank the blood from his victim’s wounds, hence the monicker. In Texas, after white supremacist Lawrence Brewer racked up an order consisting of two steaks, a triple-patty cheeseburger, three fajitas, a pound of barbecue, and a pint of ice cream, and then declined to eat any of it, the state decided the tradition had gotten out of hand and therefore ended the final meal practice in 2011. Apart from his unconventional last words, Gacy was also known for killing at least 33 young boys between 1972 and 1978 in Illinois. What is a “Life Sentence”? The death row inmates’ last words followed a structural pattern based on typical sequence as is given in figure 3. EXECUTION DATE: 4-24-19, lethal injection. EXECUTION DATE: 11-14-18, lethal injection, LAST WORDS: "I am getting my gold watch that it took the governor 30 years to forge. All rights reserved. The two men were arrested. The only thing certain for a death row prisoner in Texas, when all hope for exoneration is gone, is that he will get to choose his final ‘last’—the concluding remarks to his calamitous life. No one in recent Kansas City history had ever made a reputation for being the most prolific robber except for George Harris. Gary Burris was given the death sentence for the murder of Indianapolis cab driver Kenneth Chambers in 1980 and executed by lethal injection on November 20, 1997. I've been considering changing my life. Below you will discover the craziest last words from inmates. Studs Terkel contributed a foreword. Jimmy Glass was already serving time in jail when he and a fellow inmate named Jimmy Wingo escaped the Webster Parish jail in Louisiana in December 1982. I want to thank you for forgiving me.". He died 11 minutes later, gasping and with his muscles twitching in He claimed not to remember the murder, reportedly drunk and high on LSD at the time. CRIME: He was convicted in 1979 for the murder of two cab drivers in Omaha. The issue is still one of the most debated in politics, with many Americans opposed to the penalty. CRIME: Joined a mass prison break in Texas and participated in a subsequent crime spree that led to the murder of a police officer. He was sentenced to hang for his crimes. He gave a written confession and said he killed his family because he couldn't take the stress anymore and he was tired of his life. For this, he received a death sentence by lethal injection in 1989. Seeing that it is too late to plead their innocence, these death row inmates decided to leave the world with some original last words. Investigators said Byrd was alive for at least two miles before his body was ripped to pieces. The couple met at the Young Communist League and protested their innocence until their controversial execution. EXECUTION DATE: 5-16-19, lethal injection, LAST WORDS: "I would like to thank Jesus for everything he has done for me. As the drugs were coursing through his body, Clark said that it "burned going in" and laughed. EXECUTION DATE: 1-14-21, lethal injection, LAST STATEMENT: Johnson wrote in part: "I want to say that I’m sorry for my crimes. And what hurts me is that I hurt y'all ... even y'all, too," Sparks told family members who watched through death chamber windows. 7 Prison Documentaries That Will Blow Your Mind, What You Should Know About the Honest Services Mail Fraud, What’s a Bail Bond? At 32 years old, Graso was executed for the murder of two elderlies. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He was found guilty of abducting and subsequently killing a man after robbing a convenience store. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. He is sometimes known as the "killer clown" because he would often dress as one for events. After 21 years on death row, he said goodbye to family and friends while waiting for the injection that would end his life. or redistributed. Authorities said Ramos bludgeoned his family members with a sledgehammer and then buried them underneath his home's bathroom floor so he could marry the woman he was having an extramarital affair with at the time. "I feel it.". Both were arrested later on and sentenced to death in the electric chair. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Prior to their execution, death row inmates are often asked if they have any last words. 'GRIM SLEEPER' LONNIE FRANKLIN, CALIFORNIA SERIAL KILLER, FOUND DEAD IN PRISON, OFFICIALS SAY. They fatally shot Ruben Martinez, a deliveryman, on June 29, 2010, and drove to Weatherly's home in a stolen car, they said. To his nephew, he said “potato, potato, potato.” – an imitation of the sound of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. I'm just glad I got a chance to talk to y'all.". Her life inspired the movie "Monster," which starred Charlize Theron, according to … (Related: Oldest and Youngest Prisoners in US History). They are: Execution: The order of execution, numeric. That means you may not get positive last words from them. While an average person may sit on their deathbed and thank their family for all the love they had over the years, death row inmates are wired a little differently than the rest of us. No wonder why he was so pissed with them until his dying breath. Last words: “Kiss my ass.”. Clark later moved Muse to a bathroom where he hit her with a board and threatened his then-girlfriend, Tory Bush, into helping him drown Muse in the tub. It took me 27 years to do so. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Not all prison systems indulge their death row inmates with last meals. When asked about his last words, he famously said: “I’d rather be fishing.”. In 1790, Thomas Bird became the first person to be federally executed under the United States Constitution. Texas adopted execution by lethal injection in 1977 and in 1982, the starting year of this dataset, the first offender was executed by this method. I love y’all and consider y’all my sister I never had. Learn more about how to sign up for calls from inmates on our website. How should I invest future stimulus checks? Grasso was Executed in Oklahoma on March 20, 1995 for a two murders. From notorious killers to lesser-known convicted criminals, here is a list of the last words said by 15 death row inmates: 1. LAST WORDS: "I feel my whole body burning.". … I feel it.". What many South Africans aren’t aware of is that capital punishment wasn’t only implemented for murder and rape, but also housebreaking and robbery or attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, sabotage, training abroad to further the aims of communism, kidnapping, … Like it? But, hey, whatever makes you happy." Summary of Incident: On 09/13/2005 in Lubbock County, Texas, a 29 year old white female body was found deceased in a suitcase. Last words: “Let’s do it!” Convicted of killing a motel manager, Gary Gilmore was put to death in Utah on January 17, 1977, by a volunteer firing squad. They were: “Keep the faith and 7 LAST WORDS: "I am getting my gold watch that it took the governor 30 years to forge. In 1991, Towery was found guilty of strangling Mark Jones to death. Fewer jurisdictions are seeking capital punishment and juries are more willing to sentence defendants to life terms with no chance of parole. Amelia Dyer It was a common practice in 1890s England, though Dyer … After spending nearly ten years on death row, Cobb was finally executed in April 2013. Stephen West sobbed as he sat strapped to an electric chair at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville on Thursday evening. 0. EXECUTION DATE: 5-10-94, lethal injection. He said he would have said he was sorry before but he "didn’t know how. Richard Zeitvogel was in jail for armed robbery and rape when he and his lover Frank Guinan fatally stabbed an inmate in 1981. He requested his last meal to be Spaghettios, but instead he was given spaghetti and meatballs. (Related: What’s on the Menu in Jail?). Sign up for our service to eliminate the long distance jail call fees for $45.99 for 90 days. Another famous serial killer whose last words made it to our list is Herman Webster Mudgett a.k.a. Here are the last words of 13 death row prisoners and the disturbing messages they chose to leave the world. I'm ready." He requested his last meal to be Spaghettios, but instead he was given spaghetti and meatballs. Amen.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, He became the first person to be executed after the U.S. reinstated the death penalty in 1976, ending a 10-year lapse. Miller continually thrashed Standifer with the poker and drove the implement so deep into her in some places, officials said he would have needed to use a hammer. Market data provided by Factset. In 1790, Thomas Bird became the first person to be federally executed under the United States Constitution. Authorities even dubbed him as the “top of his field”. 'GRIM SLEEPER' LONNIE FRANKLIN, CALIFORNIA SERIAL KILLER, FOUND DEAD IN PRISON, OFFICIALS SAY. When asked why he killed them, Flanagan said that he thought he was doing society a service by killing homosexuals. Time to get this party started.”, Allen’s choice of last words echoed his deep connection with his Native American roots. Other words that insinuate affection — “heart” (14%), “care” (11%), “loved” (10%) — also rank high on this list. The last meals requested by death-row inmates like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and others are as revealing as they are strange. He was 76 years old when he received the lethal injection for three counts of murder. While strapped to the death chamber, he turned to the prosecutor, smiled and said: “I love you.”. From Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to Ted Bundy and Timothy McVeigh, some of the most notorious criminals in history have been put to death. Rosendo Rodriguez III. He was already serving a 50-year sentence for murder. Though Duke and Samra were both originally convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death, Duke's sentence was overturned because he was 16 at the time, and the Supreme Court later banned executing inmates younger than 18 at the time of their crimes. He asked to be tested for poison. A person’s last words before they pass away can often be prophetic, profound, poetic, or just plain dumb. However, it was Guinan who received the death sentence while Zeitvogel got life in prison. LAST WORDS: In his final written statement, he admitted his guilt but said that there are others on Nebraska's death row who he believes are innocent and should be released. He further added that he was just trying to bring the people of his race back to his homeland. Glass attempted to petition his sentence saying that execution by electrocution is a cruel and unusual punishment. In one of the riots started by his followers, two people were shot to death. Legal Statement. The Official Last Statements Of 28 Texas Death Row Inmates Right Before They Were Executed 35 Serial Killers And Their Horrifyingly Creepy Last Words Justice For Sale: Declining Faith, Rising Police Violence (Part 1) CRIME: He was convicted in the killing of Richard Yost, 30, his coworker. Your email address will not be published. His was the last execution to be conducted before the Supreme Court ordered a stop to capital punishment citing it as inhumane. Appeals to stop the execution were turned down at the state and federal levels. EXECUTION DATE: 9/25/19, lethal injection, LAST WORDS:  "I am sorry for the hard times. While they were on the run, they robbed and murdered a couple in their home on Christmas morning. He used his last words to proclaim he was innocent of murder. Laughing about his impending execution, he told the officers “Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel”. LastName: Last name of the offender, character. Man, I want to apologize, I don't know if me passing will bring y'all comfort for the pain and suffering I caused y'all. All rights reserved. Johnson turned 63 on the day that he was killed, and he was nearing the end of a nearly 24-year career as a guard. He was hanged on May 7, 1896, in a Philadelphia County Prison. Is It Illegal To Record Someone Without Their Consent? Just as the deadly dose of pentobarbital hit his veins, he was heard to have said these final words before breathing his last. Clark subdued Christina Muse, 20, with a stun gun, bound her with duct tape and left her in a closet for several hours while he played video games and sold drugs to a customer, prosecutors said. (Related: People Who Got Imprisoned for Crimes They Didn’t Commit), Evidence, however, speaks strongly against him and the judge sentenced him to lethal injection. Aileen Wuornos, 2002. At his 2012 trial, prosecutors said Soliz and another man, Jose Ramos, committed 13 crimes over the course of eight days in June 2010. Today's mortgage refinance rates drop further. This thirst for blood and gore seemed to have never left him until his last breath as evidenced by his disturbing final message. Make US/domestic and international jail calls at the local rate and stay connected to your incarcerated loved ones for less. Some use it to send weighty final messages. Murderers on death row therefore have an opportunity that most of us lack. Other death row last words, like those of Thomas J. Grasso, were to complain about their final meal, or their treatment in the prisons. A serial killer, rapist, arsonist and burglar, Panzram had been in and out of prison for most of his life. On the way to his execution, Gacy reportedly told a prison guard “kiss my ass!”. Overall, death sentences are down more than 80 percent from the 1990s. Share it! CRIME: Killing 168 people in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. They were yelling obscenities, throwing fists and kicking at others in the death chamber witness area. After telling his children that he loved them, Jose Villegas was administered the lethal injection. What comes out of their mouth can range from unexpected to downright puzzling. Thank you God, Lord send me a chariot. Aside from killing people, Holmes was also known for conning people in various states. And How Long Is It Usually? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The latest inmate to be put to death in the US had some very unsettling last words in the moments before his sentence was carried out. As the guards were putting a black hood over his head (as was customary for hanging inmates at that time), he spat in the executioner’s face and said those cocky last words. #1 Thomas Grasso Grasso was Executed in Oklahoma on March 20, 1995 for a two murders. On the streets, I was looking for shortcuts, I had some good role models, I was side tracking, I was blind and stupid.". Whatever the words used, and whatever the manner of execution, these famous last words spoken by criminals remain as the final memories of these offenders. Garcia was a member of the notorious "Texas 7" gang. Prosecutors said Zagorski shot John Dotson and Jimmy Porter and then slit their throats after robbing them when they went to him to buy marijuana. #25 is absolutely ridiculous! Zeitvogel got his wish, was indeed placed on death row, and was executed by lethal injection on December 11, 1996. At 689 total instances, that works out to an average of 1.7 times per inmate. You may not even get coherent last words. CRIME: Killing a 61-year-old grandmother during an eight-day crime spree. LAST WORDS:  "I would like to thank God, my dad, my Lord Jesus savior for saving me and changing my life. Bundy admitted to killing 36 women, but experts believe he may have murdered more than 100, always brutally. Thank you God, Lord send me a chariot. Last Statement Sparks Robert 999542 45 9/25/2019 Black Dallas 564 Inmate Information … The dataset consists of 545 observations with 21 variables. He then turned to the warden saying “Warden, murder me. Oh man, I didn't know if y'all would come or not, but I am glad y'all did so I could talk to y'all. CRIME: Put to death for his role in the murder of 49-year-old James Byrd Jr., who was chained to the back of a truck and dragged to death along a secluded road outside Jasper, approximately 130 miles northeast of Houston, early on the morning of June 7, 1998. I have collected all of the results from my analyses of the prisoners’ last words and created an infographic to … Last words: “I’d rather be fishing.”. Here is a list of some of the country's most notorious killers' last words. His lawyer said she believes the gurgling, gasping noises he was making were an indication that he could feel the pain of the three drugs. Patrick Bryan Knight. In an attempt to room with Guinan, Zeitvogel murdered another inmate with wire in 1984. The chapters are organized by era and method of execution. Soliz was convicted in the June 2010 killing of Nancy Weatherly in her home in Godley. The two adults were shot and the children had their throats slit. Required fields are marked *. I’m ready to roll. CRIME: Espionage, specifically conspiring to give U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, LAST WORDS: No last words before execution; In their last letter to their young children they wrote, "We press you close and kiss you with all our strength.". (Related: What Should We Do With Imprisoned Activists in the USA?). I want the press to know this." I wanted to say that to the families that were victimized." Used by 63% of all speakers, “love” is the most common word in death row inmates’ last statements. We probably all hope to say something profound with our last words, but you can only prepare something to say when you see your death coming in advance. CRIME: He was convicted for the 1992 sledgehammer killings of his wife Leticia, 42, daughter Abigail, 7, and son Jonathan, 3, at their home in Texas. His initial execution was scheduled for Oct. 11, but the courts halted it because Zagorski, according to his lawyer, wanted to avoid the "unspeakable" torture of a lethal injection death. I am at peace. CRIME: Killing corrections officer Ronald "R.J." Johnson during a 2011 prison escape attempt. Evidence showed that Duke planned the killings because he was angry his father wouldn't let him use his pickup. GlobalTel’s inmate calling service lowers jail call rates by 90% for jail calls to US facilities. Through tears the 56-year-old offered a few final words. Last Words: "Is it supposed to feel like that?". He obviously didn’t enjoy his last meal. CRIME: Clark, a drug dealer, was sentenced to death in 2000 after he was convicted of killing his former roommate in 1998 out of fear she would snitch on him. It wasn't until Yusuf Nur was inside the execution chamber, standing next to a condemned man strapped to a gurney, that he understood why he'd been asked to be present. I want to apologize to my in-laws for causing all this emotional pain. He was the third person executed for the February 25, 1995, crime; the fourth defendant is serving a life term. CRIME: used a fire poker to repeatedly bludgeon and stab Lee Standifer, a young woman who was born with mild brain damage and with whom he was on a first date nearly 40 years ago. The duo ransacked the home and shot Weatherly in the back of the head after she pleaded with them to leave her dead mother's jewelry box and spare her life, according to authorities. Legal Statement. The execution eventually took place on September 5, 1930. “I’m still awake.” Robyn Parks’ last words from March 1992 are especially chilling because they were spoken after he had already received his lethal injection. Having extensive experience in the prison industry, she wants to share what she knows with the world. EXECUTION DATE: 9-26-18, lethal injection, LAST WORDS: "I'm not the one who killed Christina. Appel was sentenced to the electric chair after being found guilty of killing a police officer. His last words were surprising, given his somber and dark life up to that point. And How Do They Work? While escaping from a Louisiana Jail in 1982, Glass and a fellow inmate killed Newton Brown and his wife Erlene Brown. He is the only terrorist executed by the federal government. Last Words Of Death Row Inmates. Berget was serving a life sentence for attempted murder and kidnapping when he and another inmate, Eric Robert, attacked Johnson on April 12, 2011, in a part of the penitentiary known as Pheasantland Industries, where inmates work on upholstery, signs, furniture and other projects. People Who Got Imprisoned for Crimes They Didn’t Commit, Oldest and Youngest Prisoners in US History. It was their secret code for saying that everything is alright. Others decide to end their lifeMORE LAST WORDS: He handed a William Earnest Henley poem to a guard that ended "I am the master of my fate/I am the captain of my soul.". Last Words: "Keep the faith and rock on." John Wayne Gacy was convicted of the rape and murder of 33 men between 1972 and his arrest in 1978. Address:GlobalTel Corporate Headquarters7999 N. Federal Highway, Suite 400Boca Raton, FL – 33487. Here are their last words. Until his dying day, Jackson continued to deny his involvement in the murder of his wife and two stepdaughters. Last Words Occurrences of 'Love' in Last Words of Executed Texas Death Row Inmates For Tweeter Rater, by Darius Kazemi.Tweeter Rater With numerous felony convictions under his belt, Harris also admitted to killing a former associate during a heated argument. He also tried to kill two women who reported him to the police. A Comprehensive Guide. Sample Love Letters to Your Boyfriend in Jail, Calling Out Companies That Use Prison Labor, The Shocking Truth Behind the Lightning Bolt Tattoo in Prison, The Truth Behind Michael Jordan’s Private Prison Investment News. Ochoa was arrested minutes after the murders. Moore was the first inmate to be lethally injected in Nebraska, which carried out its last execution in 1997 using the electric chair. What Should We Do With Imprisoned Activists in the USA? Muse's body was then stuffed into a barrel with cement mix and lime before being dumped in a ravine. Like most of his victims, Holmes died a slow painful death when his neck failed to snap after the trap had been sprung. He was taken to a clay flat about a mile from the prison, strapped to a wooden chair within a 20 feet canvas enclosure and gunned down. John Wayne Gacy (March 17, 1942–May 10, 1994) was convicted of the rape and … Henry said she believes Johnson would have felt like he was drowning, being buried alive and then burned. King was a white supremacist and the murder is considered one of the most notorious hate crimes in American history. He tried to appeal his case saying it was self-defense but his lawyers didn’t succeed. Your email address will not be published. EXECUTION DATE: 12-5-19, lethal injection, LAST WORDS: "Dear heavenly Father, please forgive them, for they know not what they do.". Shares. CRIME: Fatally shooting his wife, father-in-law, sister-in-law, 7-year-old daughter and 9-month-old daughter. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Last Words of the Executed is a book by Robert K. Elder published in 2010. We daresay it’s a missed opportunity as he never got any more chance to say anything at all. When they asked him one more time for his last words, he insisted on his innocence and his need for a bulletproof vest. "I love you all. LAST WORDS: "I'd like to give my love to my family and friends.". What comes out of their mouth can range from unexpected to downright puzzling. Thank you God, Lord send me a chariot. The judges, however, refused to commute his sentence and the execution went on as scheduled. Death Row Last Words: from jokes to baddass remarks, check out some amazing final comments from people who were about to be executed. What’s The Difference Between Murder and Manslaughter? Some of last words of death row inmates are as chilling as their crimes. So much for dark humor. In 1960 Utah, execution via firing squad was still a thing and James Rodgers had a rather peculiar request before the bullets started raining down on him. CRIME: Stabbing his wife and two stepsons and raping his two stepdaughters. Crime: Murdered seven men, which she claimed was in self-defense. His federal execution came after a protracted legal battle over his contraction of the coronavirus last month. Last Words: "I wanted to apologize for the grief and the pain that I caused y'all. EXECUTION DATE: 8-14-18, lethal injection. Sparks told investigators he killed his wife and 9 and 10-year-old stepsons and raped his 12 and 14-year-old stepdaughters because his family had been poisoning him and a voice told him to kill his family. This makes him the second oldest inmate in the country to be executed. Both of his victims were middle-aged men. I hope that someday this absurdity that humanity has come to will come to an end.” After receiving the lethal injection, he turned to the warden and uttered his famous last words. A known homophobe, Flanagan was sentenced to death after confessing to two counts of murder. He committed a series of murders and sexual assaults. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. GlobalTel.com and it’s Special Connect Jail Call Service is owned and operated by Interactive Media Technologies, Inc. and not affiliated or associated with Global Tel*Link Corp. (GTL), GTL.net or GTL’s trademarked services known as “ConnectNetwork” and “OffenderConnect”. The ironic thing is he himself was a homosexual and he admitted to hating himself for it. ", "To my family I have always loved you, and your love has made me real. 1 “Let's do it!” (The Inspiration for Nike's Famous Slogan) In the winter of 1976, the country was all abuzz about Gary Gilmore, a convicted Utah murderer who was demanding his own death. CRIME: Killing his estranged wife's parents and brother, Last Words: "That'll be five dollars, take care.". When he was arrested and questioned, he claimed to be a prince of Abyssinia. The standard method used for executions was hanging, sometimes of multiple death row inmates at a time. CRIME: Kidnapping, rape and murder of dozens of women. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. CRIME: Killing two men during an April 1983 drug deal. 1. These are the top 10 strangest last meals of death row inmates which includes Timothy McVeigh, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and many others.