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Last meal

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The last meal is a customary part of a condemned prisoner's last day. Often, the day of, or before, the appointed time of execution, the prisoner receives a last meal, as well as religious rites, if they desire. In the United States, inmates generally may not ask for an alcoholic drink. Other countries have different traditions, such as the "little glass of rum" granted to the condemned in historical France in the minutes before execution; but no formal last meal as they were told of the impending executions only on the fatal morning, generally minutes before the actual event.[1]

In many countries the prisoner may, within reason, select what the last meal will be and the authorities do their best to satisfy the request.

History

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.

Although the history of this tradition is difficult to trace, most modern governments that execute prisoners subscribe to it.

The ancient Greeks, Chinese, and Romans all traditionally gave the condemned man a final meal. The Aztecs fed their human sacrifices for up to a year before killing them.

In pre-modern Europe, granting the condemned a last meal has roots in superstition: a meal was a highly symbolic social act. Accepting freely offered food symbolized making peace with the host. The guest agreed tacitly to take an oath of truce and symbolically abjured all vengeance. Consequentially, in accepting the last meal the condemned was believed to forgive the executioner, the judge, and witness(es). The ritual was supposed to prevent the condemned from returning as a ghost or revenant to haunt those responsible for their killing. As a superstitious precaution, the better the food and drink, the safer the condemned's oath of truce. Last meals were often public, and all parties involved in the penal process took part.[citation needed] The law of 18th Century England, however, as noted by Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, ca. 1765, made no such concession; "during the short but awful interval between sentence and execution, the prisoner shall be kept alone, and sustained with only bread and water".[2]

There were practical side effects of a peaceful last meal as well. It was crucial for the authorities that a public execution was a successful spectacle.[citation needed] In the eyes of the contemporaries the violated law could only be restored by mirroring the crime via retaliative penalties (see lex talionis). However, if the mob believed something was wrong or the chief character of the show was reluctant to play their role, things could get out of hand and place the malefactor's guilt in doubt. Hence it was important for authorities that the condemned met their fate calmly.[citation needed] The condemned's solemn last meal symbolized to some observers that they accepted the punishment.[citation needed] Additionally, prisoners were often served large quantities of alcoholic beverages to soothe them and bar them from execrating the authorities while ascending the scaffold.[citation needed]

In Ancient Japan, samurai warriors would sometimes commit seppuku (ritual suicide) for a variety of reasons. Before the suicide, the Samurai would be served their favorite foods.[citation needed]

The provision of alcohol to the condemned may well have its roots in biblical times: "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts."Proverbs 31:6

Contemporary restrictions

In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before execution, and use the euphemism "special meal". Alcohol or tobacco is usually denied. An unorthodox or unavailable request will be replaced with a substitute. Some states place tight restrictions. In Florida, the food for the last meal must be purchased locally and the cost is limited to $40.[3] In Louisiana, the prison warden traditionally joins the soon-to-be executed inmate in his last meal; on one occasion, the warden paid for an inmate's lobster dinner out of his own pocket.[4]

Some prisoners have elected to share their last meals with another inmate (like Francis Crowley did with John Resko), or have the meal distributed among other inmates (like Raymond Fernandez).[5]

In September 2011, the state of Texas abolished all special last meal requests after condemned prisoner Lawrence Russell Brewer requested a huge last meal then did not eat any of it, saying he was not hungry. His last meal request consisted of two chicken-fried steaks with gravy and sliced onions; a triple-patty bacon cheeseburger; a cheese omelet with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and jalapeños; a bowl of fried okra with ketchup; one pound of barbecued meat with half a loaf of white bread; three fajitas; a meat-lover’s pizza (topped with pepperoni, ham, beef, bacon and sausage); one pint of Blue Bell Ice Cream; a slab of peanut-butter fudge with crushed peanuts; and three root beers (normally non-alcoholic). The abolition followed a complaint by a Texas Senator, John Whitmire, who called the meal "inappropriate". [6][7][8][9] The tradition of customized last meals is thought to date back at least 87 years in Texas.[10]

Documented last meal requests

This represents the items reported requested but does not, in all cases, represent what the prisoner actually received.

Notorious condemned prisoners

International

United States

Other prisoner requests

  • Allen Lee Davis, Murder x 3, Florida 1999: 350-pound "Tiny" Davis had one lobster tail, fried potatoes, a half-pound of fried shrimp, six ounces of fried clams, half a loaf of garlic bread, and 32 ounces of A&W root beer.[29]
  • Ángel Nieves Díaz, murder, (Puerto Rican) Florida 2006: declined a special meal. He was served the regular prison meal for that day, but declined that as well.[30]
  • Barton Kay Kirkham: Pizzas and ice cream, "because you get cheese, meat and everything in one meal. Not so much fuss."[31]
  • Dennis Wayne Bagwell: Medium rare steak with A1 Steak Sauce, fried chicken breasts and thighs, BBQ ribs, French fries, onion rings, bacon, scrambled eggs with onions, fried potatoes with onions, sliced tomatoes, salad with ranch dressing, two hamburgers, peach pie, milk, coffee, and iced tea with real sugar.[32]
  • Desmond Keith Carter declined a special meal, but had two cheeseburgers, a steak sub, and two Cokes from the prison canteen, for which he paid $4.20 from his prison account.[16]
  • Dobie Gillis Williams: Twelve candy bars and some ice cream.
  • Edward Hartman: A Greek salad, linguini with white clam sauce, cheesecake with cherry topping, garlic bread, and a Coke.[33]
  • Eric Wrinkles: Prime rib, a "loaded" baked potato, pork chops with steak fries, rolls and two salads with ranch dressing, served three days before execution because Indiana State Prison system found that condemned inmates tend to lose their appetite near the end.[34]
  • Francis Crowley: Steak and onions, french fries, apple pie, ice cream and melted ice cream.[13]
  • Gary Lee Davis: Chocolate and vanilla ice cream cups, shared with the prison superintendent and a manager.[35]
  • Gary Michael Heidnik had two slices of a cheese pizza and two cups of black coffee.[36]
  • Ignacio Cuevas, perpetrator of the 1974 Huntsville Prison Siege - Chicken dumplings, steamed rice, sliced bread, black-eyes peas, and iced tea.[37]
  • John Albert Taylor: Pizzas "with everything."[38]
  • John David Duty: A double cheeseburger with mayonnaise, a foot-long hot dog with cheese, mustard and extra onions, a cherry limeade, and a large banana shake.[39]
  • Joseph Mitchell Parsons: Three Burger King Whoppers, two large orders of fries, a chocolate shake, chocolate chip ice cream, and a package of grape Hubba Bubba bubblegum, to be shared with his brother and a cousin.[40]
  • Karla Faye Tucker: Banana, peach, and garden salad with ranch dressing.[41]
  • Keith Zettlemoyer: Two cheeseburgers, fries, chocolate pudding and chocolate milk.[42]
  • Lawrence Russell Brewer: Two chicken fried steaks smothered in gravy with sliced onions; a triple meat bacon cheeseburger with fixings on the side; a cheese omelet with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and jalapenos; a large bowl of fried okra with ketchup; one pound of barbecue with half a loaf of white bread; three fajitas with fixings; a Meat Lovers pizza; three root beers; one pint of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream; and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts.[43] Brewer's request was granted, but he refused the meal when it arrived, prompting Texas to stop granting last meal requests to condemned inmates.[44]
  • Lowell Lee Andrews: Two fried chickens with sides of mashed potatoes, green beans and Pie a la Mode.[45]
  • Mark Dean Schwab: Fried eggs (over easy), bacon, sausage links, hash browns, buttered toast, and a quart of chocolate milk.
  • Martha Beck: Fried chicken, fried potatoes and salad.[13]
  • Perry Smith and Richard Hickock: Shrimp, French fries, garlic bread, ice cream, and strawberries with whipped cream.[11]
  • Odell Barnes: "Justice, Equality, World Peace."[41]
  • Peter Kürten: Wiener schnitzel, fried potatoes and a bottle of white wine. He requested seconds and received it.[13]
  • Philip Workman: He declined a special meal for himself, but he asked for a large vegetarian pizza to be given to a homeless person in Nashville, Tennessee. This request was denied by the prison, but carried out by others across the country.[46][47]
  • Ricky Ray Rector: Steak, fried chicken, cherry Kool-Aid, and a pecan pie. He did not eat the pie because he said he was saving it for later.[48]
  • Robert Alton Harris: A 21-piece bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, two large Domino's Pizzas (no anchovies), ice cream, a bag of jelly beans, a six-pack of Pepsi, and a pack of Camel cigarettes.[49][50] The pizza was actually from Tombstone Pizza, per the stipulation of Vernell Crittendon.[51]
  • Ronald Clark O'Bryan's last meal request consisted of a T-bone steak (medium to well done), french fries with ketchup, whole kernel corn, sweet peas, a lettuce and tomato salad with egg and French dressing, iced tea, sweetener, saltines, Boston cream pie, and rolls.[41]
  • Ronnie Lee Gardner: Lobster tail, steak, apple pie, vanilla ice cream, 7-Up, and watching The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.[52]
  • Stephen Wayne Anderson: Two grilled cheese sandwiches, one pint of cottage cheese, a hominy/corn mixture, one piece of peach pie, one pint of chocolate chip ice cream, and radishes.[53]
  • Teresa Lewis: Two fried chicken breasts, sweet peas with butter, a Dr Pepper and German chocolate cake for dessert.[54]
  • Thomas J. Grasso: two dozen steamed mussels, two dozen steamed clams, a double cheeseburger from Burger King, half-dozen barbecued spare ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, half a pumpkin pie with whipped cream with diced strawberries and a 16-ounce can of spaghetti with meatballs, served at room temperature.[55] However, he issued a public statement complaining that he had requested SpaghettiOs, not spaghetti.[56]
  • Troy Davis declined a special meal, explaining that "this meal will not be my last".[57]
  • Victor Feguer requested a single olive with the stone still in.[58]
  • Wesley Baker: Breaded fish, pasta marinara, green beans, orange fruit punch, bread, and milk (this was what was on the prison menu that day).[59]

See also

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References

  1. ^ Lynn-Geroge, Michael. "The Writing Lesson: From the Dragon's Teeth to Tristes Tropiques". The International Journal of the Humanities. 4 (8): 61–72. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  2. ^ Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England
  3. ^ "Death Row Fact Sheet". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  4. ^ Last-meal requests come to an end on Texas death row (Houston Chronicle, September 22, 2011)
  5. ^ The Book of Lists #3. Bantam. 1983. pp. 85–87. ISBN 0553278681.
  6. ^ Ward, Mike. "Last Meals for Condemned Cons Off Menu". Austin American Statesman.
  7. ^ "Texas jails abolish last meals after uneaten banquet". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  8. ^ Last meal requests come to an end on Texas death row
  9. ^ Fernandez, Manny (23 September 2011). "Texas Death Row Kitchen Cooks Its Last 'Last Meal'". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  10. ^ Last-meal requests off death row menu
  11. ^ a b c d e f "No Seconds". TIME Magazine. 1994-05-23. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  12. ^ a b The Book of Lists #3. Bantam. 1983. p. 85. ISBN 0553278681.
  13. ^ a b c d The Book of Lists #3. Bantam. 1983. p. 86. ISBN 0553278681.
  14. ^ Ned Parker and Ali Hamdani (2007-01-01). "How one mobile phone made Saddam's hanging a very public execution". The Times (UK). London. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
  15. ^ Google. "Saddam Hussein Last Meal". Google. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ a b "Last Meals on Death Row (2002)". Dead Man Eating. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  17. ^ "Clarence Ray Allen". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  18. ^ "'Gainesville Ripper' Danny Rolling Executed". WESH. 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  19. ^ a b John Peck (2006-01-05). "Last Meals". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  20. ^ Katherine Ramsland. "Gary Gilmore: Death Wish". Crime Library. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  21. ^ Meserve, Jeanne (November 11, 2009). "Sniper John Allen Muhammad executed". CNN. Jarratt, Virginia. Retrieved 2 October 2010. The lawyer said Muhammad's last meal was "chicken and red sauce, and he had some cakes. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Michael Bruce Ross". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  23. ^ Ryan, Perry T. (1992). "24. Final Preparations for the Hanging". The Last Public Execution in America. Ryan][dead link], Perry T. ISBN 0-9625504-5-0. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Paula Tully Bryant. "Timeline: 1989 - A History of Corrections in Florida". Florida Department of Corrections. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  25. ^ Catherine Quayle (2001-06-11). "Execution of an American Terrorist". Court TV.
  26. ^ Rita Cosby (2001-06-12). "Timothy McVeigh Put to Death for Oklahoma City Bombings". FOX News. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  27. ^ William E. Schmidt (1984-11-03). "First Woman Is Executed in U.S. Since 1962". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  28. ^ Mark Gribben. "William Bonin: The Freeway Killer". Crime Library. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  29. ^ "Allen Lee "Tiny" Davis". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
  30. ^ "Last Meals on Death Row (2006)". Dead Man Eating. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  31. ^ "Killer Calmly Goes To Death". The Florence Times. Associated Press. June 7, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  32. ^ "Dennis Wayne Bagwell". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  33. ^ "Last Meals on Death Row (2003)". Dead Man Eating. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  34. ^ "Wrinkles Awaits Death For Triple Murder". WRTV. 2009-12-10. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  35. ^ Ryckman, Lisa (1997-10-14). "Davis pays final price". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  36. ^ Wolcott, Martin Gilman (2004-01-01). The Evil 100. Citadel Press. p. 286. ISBN 9780806525556. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  37. ^ "Final Meal Requests." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. October 1, 2003. Retrieved on December 4, 2010.
  38. ^ Hal Schindler (1996-01-28). "Taylor's Death Was Quick . . . But Some Weren't So Lucky". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
  39. ^ Murphy, Sean (December 17, 2010). "Oklahoma executes man with new drug combination". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  40. ^ Bryson, Amy Joi (1999-10-14). "Death wish Execution comes 12 years after murder at rest stop". Deseret News. p. 3. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
  41. ^ a b c "Final Meal Requests". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. 2003-09-12. Archived from the original on 2003-12-02. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  42. ^ "Man Put to Death In Pennsylvania". San Francisco Chronicle. 1995-05-03. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  43. ^ [1]
  44. ^ "Texas kills fancy last meal requests on death row". reuters.com. Retrieved 22 Sep 2011.
  45. ^ The Book of Lists #3. Bantam. 1983. pp. 86–87. ISBN 0553278681.
  46. ^ Ashley Fantz (2007-05-09). "Killer orders pizza for homeless as last meal". CNN. Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  47. ^ "Last Meals on Death Row (2007)". Dead Man Eating. Retrieved 2007-08-12.
  48. ^ Beam, Christopher. "Can a prisoner request anything for his last meal?". Slate. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  49. ^ "Capital Punishment - Harris, Robert Alton". California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  50. ^ Lance Morrow (1992-05-04). "Television Dances With the Reaper". TIME Magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  51. ^ Jonathan Kellerman, ed. (2008). "Dean of Death Row (by Tad Friend)". The best American crime reporting, 2008. New York: Harper Perennial. p. 143. ISBN 0061490830.
  52. ^ Sanchez, Ray (18 June 2010). "Ronnie Lee Gardner Executed by Firing Squad in Utah". Good Morning America. pp. 1–4. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  53. ^ "Stephen Wayne Anderson". Clark County Prosecutor. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  54. ^ Glod, Maria (September 23, 2010). "Teresa Lewis pronounced dead by Va. authorities". The Washington Post. p. 2. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  55. ^ Collins, Nick (December 7, 2010). "Last meals: weird requests on death row". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  56. ^ Schwartzman, Paul; Finnegan, Michael (March 20, 1995). "Grasso Is Put To Death; Poem, Complaint His Final Words". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  57. ^ Savali, Kirsten West (September 21, 2011). "Troy Davis To Refuse His Last Meal: "This Meal Will Not Be My Last"". Your Black World. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  58. ^ "Federal govt.'s last execution was in Iowa in 1963". USA Today. 2001-06-20. Retrieved 2007-08-11.
  59. ^ "Last Meals on Death Row (2005)". Dead Man Eating. Retrieved 2007-08-11.

Further reading

  • Treadwell, Ty and Vernon, Michelle (2011) Last Suppers: Famous Final Meals from Death Row
  • Van Dülmen, Richard (1990). Theatre of Horror : Crime and Punishment in Early Modern Germany. Cambridge. ISBN 0-745-60616-4.
  • Foucault, Michel (1977). Discipline & Punish : The Birth of the Prison. ISBN 0-679-75255-2.
  • Von Hentig, Hans (1973). Punishment - Its Origin, Purpose, and Psychology. ISBN 0-87585-147-9.
  • Osler, Mark (February 2009). "Ch. 7: Last Meal / Last Supper". Jesus on Death Row: The Trial of Jesus and American Capital Punishment. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press. pp. 63–67. ISBN 978-0687647569.
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