Good Riddance to Goodwin

Paul Goodwin--who apparently enjoys taking mug shots, because he smiles in every one--was executed by the state of Missouri early this morning. Goodwin was convicted of beating an elderly former neighbor to death with a hammer because he believed she was responsible for having him kicked out of a boarding house he was living in. The feud began because Goodwin adopted the habit of hurling beer cans and chicken bones into his neighbor's yard, then insulting her whenever she walked by.

For his last meal, Goodwin ate pizza, chocolate ice cream, and cola.

No Hope for Holsey

After a flurry of failed last-minute appeals, Robert Wayne Holsey was executed by the state of Georgia tonight. The convicted killer earned his death sentence for shooting a deputy sheriff to death after robbing a convenience store.

We have to admit, we were hoping Holsey might order doughnuts or bagels for his last meal…or perhaps some Swiss cheese…or maybe some onion rings, or a bowl of Cheerios…you know, something “hole-sy.” But instead, Holsey asked for an eight-piece order of fried chicken—which was probably quite tasty, yet free of any holes. 

Ah, well. Not every last meal entrée comes with a side of puns.

Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of Your Last Day

Leon Vincent Taylor, executed by the state of Missouri today, obviously took those old words of wisdom about breakfast to heart. For his last meal, Taylor asked for eggs, bacon, doughnuts, and an orange drink.

Taylor earned his death sentence for taking part in a 1994 gas station robbery during which an employee was killed.

Banks Begs Pardon with Bursting Belly

Chadwick Banks might sound like the store where your rich grandmother buys her elegant pantsuits, but it's actually the name of a heinous killer executed by the state of Florida tonight for a viscous double murder. 

Banks, who was convicted of killing both his wife and his stepdaughter, apologized to the family of his victims prior to his lethal injection, saying "I am very sorry for the pain I have caused all these years."

An apology to his own digestive tract might have been in order, too, considering the gut-busting dinner he consumed earlier that day. For his last meal, Banks had fried fish, homemade French fries, hush puppies, old-fashioned dinner rolls, homemade banana pudding, red velvet cake, butter pecan ice cream, and a glass of ice water.   

It Ain't Over Til the Fat Boy Sings

Miguel "Fat Boy" Paredes was executed by the state of Texas tonight for his part in a triple murder that took place back in 2000. Paredes and two other members of his gang killed three people in an argument over drug money, then burned the bodies.

Some news outlets are claiming that Paredes ate a last meal of a Philly cheesteak, two sodas, and a Gatorade purchased for him by friends---but heed not the false prophets when it comes to last meal information! The Texas DOC confirmed that those items were vending machine snacks bought for Paredes before he was even transferred to the Huntsville unit where executions take place. In reality, the last meal of Miguel Paredes was chicken & rice, corn, sweet peas, pinto beans, cornbread, and coffee cake, with a choice of water, tea, or punch to drink. Because Texas no longer allows special last meal orders, this was the same food served to everyone in the unit.

Original Print Copies Still Available!

Attention all collectors and Last Suppers uber-fans! Did you know that a tiny number of the original print edition of the book is still available from a few select sellers---including a scarce amount of BRAND-NEW copies? Check out the listings HERE. 

Death Row Dinners Restaurant Gets the Axe

Apparently the public isn't as hungry for death row dining as some might expect. A restaurant offering the last meal experience was shut down before it even opened, according to the article here.

We suppose that means the only way to sample a true last meal is the old-school method, although we wouldn't advise anyone to commit a capital crime purely for the purpose of sampling prison fare. Instead, just whip up a few of the jailhouse recipes in our book! It's quicker, safer, and saves taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees.

Unjust Desserts For Lisa Coleman

Lisa Coleman was executed by the state of Texas tonight for her part in the horrific death of a 9-year-old boy. Together with her roommate, the boy's mother, Coleman physically abused and starved the boy to death. How dreadfully ironic, then, that Coleman herself was served a tasty-sounding last meal before her execution.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meal requests, Coleman was given the same food as others in her unit. For her last meal, Lisa Coleman was served a fried pork chop, macaroni and cheese, carrots, green beans, navy beans, sliced bread, and pineapple orange cake, with a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

Willie Trottie Has Expired...But What About His Drugs?

Willie Trottie was executed by the state of Texas tonight, although the execution nearly encountered a last-minute snag when Trottie's lawyers complained that the lethal injection drugs used in the procedure might have expired. The appeal was overturned, however, when Texas officials showed that the drugs had an expiration date of September 30, meaning they were still "safe" enough to kill a man with.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meals, Trottie was served the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Willie Trottie had baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, bread, and a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

A Hard Day's Night for Ringo

Shortly after midnight, the state of Missouri executed Earl Ringo Jr. for a double murder committed during a 1998 restaurant robbery. 

We couldn't help wondering if Ringo's last meal might include an Apple, or some fancy dessert with a name like Strawberry Shortcake Forever, but such was not the case. Ringo actually didn't order a last meal at all, and was served the prison's "daily special" of Salisbury steak, macaroni and cheese, salad, vegetables, and cake.

Ringo's last words were also a topic of curiosity. Perhaps the condemned man would utter something clever like "I Feel Fine," or "Hello Goodbye," or simply "Help!" Would he talk about his upcoming journey on "The Long and Winding Road," or mention how he got by with a little help from his friends during his years in prison? Beatlemanicas were once again crushed, however, when Ringo simply offered up a passage from the Quran instead.

As Ringo's story draws to a close, one other case of irony cannot be ignored; he committed his double murder at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant---named, of course, after a song by the Rolling Stones.

 

Meaty Meal for Michael Worthington

Early this morning the state of Missouri executed Michael Shane Worthington, who was convicted of a 1995 rape and murder. Prior to his pentobarbital cocktail, Worthington chowed down on a last meal that could have actually served as two meals; a cheeseburger, french fries, a rib-eye steak, and onion rings. We're surprised Worthington didn't add some eggs and toast in there to make his last meal a perfect breakfast/lunch/dinner trifecta. 

Middleton's Meal a Mystery No More

John Middleton, executed yesterday by the state of Missouri, must have gone to the gurney with one heck of a rumbling tummy. That's because his last meal was actually served 27 hours prior to his execution after a series of stays, appeals, and legal hurdles had to be navigated.

Middleton, a former meth dealer, was convicted of killing three people who snitched about his illegal activities to law enforcement. But Middleton never accepted the blame for the crimes, and went to his death still claiming to be innocent.

For his last meal, Middleton requested a cheeseburger, a pork steak, french fries, apple pie, and a chocolate milk shake. This was served at 4pm on July 15, with Middleton's execution originally scheduled for midnight that same day. That execution was stayed, however, and Middleton was actually executed at 7pm on July 16. But since he refused all standard-issue prison meals during that time, his "last meal" actually was his last meal.

A big thank you to the media relations folks at Missouri's DOC for the information.

Davis Dines, Dies, But Doesn't Deny

Eddie Wayne Davis--who even among death row inmates falls into the "worst of the worst" category for his unspeakable crime--was executed tonight by the state of Florida. The convicted child killer initially denied any involvement in his crime, but later confessed fully.

Unlike many recent death row inmates, Davis actually took the time to order and eat a special last meal. He dined on chopped steak with onion gravy, home fries, Brussels sprouts, corn, cherry ice cream, and Dr. Pepper.

No Dinner, Just Cocktails, for John Henry

Loss of appetite has suddenly become an epidemic among America's death row denizens; for the second time today, an inmate refused to order a special last meal before his execution. This time the non-peckish felon was John Ruthell Henry, executed by the state of Florida for killing two of his wives and also a child. 

Henry obviously didn't know what he was missing; as our readers know, Florida serves up one of the tastiest--and most generous--last meals in the whole country. Steak, lobster, and other succulent dishes can all be ordered with impunity. But instead of a meal, Henry just had a cocktail; midazolam, vecuronium bromide, and potassium chloride, to be exact. 

It's a Last Meal Loss for Winfield

Convicted killer John Winfield, who earned his death sentence for a double murder back in 1996, lost more than his life today when he was executed by the state of Missouri; he also lost his last chance in 18 years to eat a decent meal. In other words, it was a lose-lose situation for Winfield.

Missouri offers one of the better last meal experiences in our nation's penal system; just this year, Missouri inmates have ordered steak, barbecued ribs, apple pie, chocolate cake, and other tasty items prior to their executions. But John Winfield said "thanks but no thanks" to the offer, ordering nothing at all.

No Yellin' for Felon Wellons

Some inmates swear, complain, and throw a big fit just before their execution, but not Marcus Wellons. The Georgia inmate convicted of rape and murder back in 1993 went to his execution calmly last night, asking for forgiveness prior to his lethal injection. The execution itself went smoothly too, despite a series of recent legal snags.

The first came in 2010, when the US Supreme Court ordered a special hearing to discuss Wellons' case. The reason? They had learned that during the trial back in 1993, one of the jurors presented the judge with a chocolate penis as a gift. The court eventually ruled that although this was a "tasteless" act, it played no part in the conviction of Wellons.

Another snag came last night, as Wellons' lawyers tried for a last-minute appeal based on the fact that Georgia had not disclosed the name of the company that manufactures the drugs now used in their lethal injections--which, from a common sense standpoint, is like demanding to know the license plate number of the truck that's about to plow into you. The appeal failed, however, and Wellons was put to death shortly before midnight.

Wellons did not choose a special last meal, so he was given the same food as everyone else in his unit: shepherd's pie, mashed potatoes, red beans, cabbage relish salad, corn bread, sugar cookies, and fruit punch. 

 

Double Execution Comes with Double Dose of Irony

Clayton Lockett

It was to be a historic night; the state of Oklahoma would execute two men in the same evening, something that rarely happens in modern times. Clayton Lockett would go first, with Charles Warner following two hours later. The only problem was, the state was using a controversial new trio of drugs for its lethal injections.

Trouble began when Lockett was given his deadly dose of the drugs. They didn't seem to be working properly, so prison officials tried to halt the execution midway. Lockett ended up dying anyway--supposedly from complications of the execution procedure--so the execution was considered a failure because Lockett died, although that's the whole reason he was strapped to the lethal injection table in the first place. Because of the complications, Warner was given a stay and was not executed.

The other bit of irony is the fact that Warner, who was not executed, ordered and was given a last meal while Lockett, who WAS executed, did not enjoy the last meal ritual. Lockett did try, but was told that his order of steak, shrimp, baked potato, garlic toast, a whole pecan pie, and a bottle of Coke went way, way over the state's $15 spending limit. Upset by this, Lockett decided to pass on the last meal altogether.

Warner, on the other hand, ordered an approved last meal of boneless chicken wings, potato wedges, cole slaw, fruit cocktail, and Coke. He was given his last meal and ate it despite the fact that his execution was later cancelled.

'Scuse Me While I Diss This Pie

The crimes committed by Robert Hendrix were so wild and unfathomable that he must have been in a purple haze at the time. Hendrix killed both his cousin and his cousin's wife because he feared his cousin would testify against him during a burglary trial. The cousin was shot in the head, had his throat cut, and was then beaten with the gun so many times that the trigger broke off. The cousin's wife was also shot in the head, stabbed more than 30 times, and had her throat cut as well.

Hendrix was executed tonight by the state of Florida for his crimes. For his last meal, Hendrix took advantage of Florida's generous last meal policy and ordered pork chops, biscuits with sausage gravy, and Mountain Dew. But instead of pie, which ranks as a favorite death row dessert, Hendrix rounded out his meal with German chocolate cake.  

One Last Cattle Call for William Rousan

It's rare to see a man put to death for stealing cattle these days, but William Rousan was executed by the state of Missouri this morning for just that. Of course, he did kill a few people at the same time, too. 

Rousan, along with his son and his brother, murdered a married couple who lived on a farm and then stole two cows, a VCR, some jewelry, a saddle, and other items. 

Rousan's obvious fondness for good beef followed him all the way to the grave. For his last meal, Rousan asked for a bacon cheeseburger, onion rings, and a slice of pecan pie.

Sloppy Killer Has Fitting Last Meal

Jose Villegas was executed by the state of Texas tonight for a triple murder committed in 2001. The victims were his ex-girlfriend, her 3-year old son, and her mother, and each was stabbed multiple times before Villegas stole their car and their TV. At the time of the killings, Villegas was out of jail on bond for a sexual assault charge and was due to go to trial for punching another woman in the face.

Lawyers for Villegas tried for a last-minute appeal from the Supreme Court, claiming their client had an IQ of 59 and was therefore too mentally challenged to qualify for execution. But readers of my book Death Row's Oddest Inmates know that men like Villegas have very little motivation to score well on these prison-administered tests, since a high score would give the state the green light to end your life.

On a side note, Villegas stabbed his 3 victims a total of 86 times. One could argue that if the number of stab wounds you inflict on your victims exceeds your supposed IQ, you're not mentally challenged; you're just a scumbag.

Since Texas no longer allows special last meals, Villegas was served the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Villegas had a beef sloppy joe, macaroni and cheese, carrots, sweet peas, black-eyed peas, and sliced bread, with a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

Hefty Hernandez Nearly Breaks the Scales of Justice

Ramiro Hernandez-Llanas was executed by the state of Texas tonight for beating a history professor to death with a metal bar in 1997, then raping the man's wife at knife point. Hernandez-Llanas committed the crime after escaping from prison in his native Mexico, where he was serving time for another murder.

The killer's lawyers claimed that Hernandez-Llanas suffered from a range of mental deficiencies including severe adaptive functioning, but judging from this photo, the killer had no problem at all adapting to prison food.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meals, the killer was served the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Hernandez-Llanas had chicken patties, mashed potatoes with country gravy, squash, navy beans, sliced bread, yellow cake with vanilla icing, and a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.  

Tommy Lynn Sells, But Nobody's Buying

Serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells was executed by the state of Texas tonight after his last-minute appeal fell through. Sells hoped to delay his execution based on the fact that nobody knows where Texas got its new supply of lethal pentobarbital, but apparently that missing morsel of information wasn't enough to tempt the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sells earned his death penalty by stabbing a 13-year-old girl to death in 1999, but he may have committed as many as 70 more murders.

Since Texas no longer allows special last meals, condemned inmates are given the same food as others in their unit. For his last meal, Tommy Lynn Sells had BBQ chopped brisket, chilled pasta salad, peas and carrots, sliced pickles, sliced bread, and he had a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

No Doughnuts for Doyle, Only Death

Convicted killer Anthony Doyle was executed by the state of Texas tonight for a robbery/murder that took place in 2003. Doyle had ordered two dozen doughnuts and two dozen breakfast tacos from a take-out service, then beat the delivery woman to death with a baseball bat when she brought the order to his home. Afterward, the killer stole the victim's car, phone, and credit cards. Doyle dumped the body and cleaned up the crime scene--including trying to disguise the blood stains with barbecue sauce--but he was quickly arrested and given the death penalty at his trial.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meal orders, Doyle was given the same food as others in his unit. For his last meal, Doyle had a chicken patty, mashed potatoes with country gravy, navy beans, mixed vegetables, sliced bread, and he had a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

No Fretting for Ferguson

Most people would feel a little sad on the day of their execution. Moody, morose, or perhaps downright depressed. But not Jeffrey Ferguson, executed today by the state of Missouri. Ferguson, who earned his death penalty by raping and killing a teenager in 1989, was all smiles as he was strapped to the lethal injection table. The killer stuck out his tongue and made funny faces at his relatives, then said, "At this point in my life, I believe that I am the best man I've ever been."

Talk about not setting the bar very high.

For his last meal, Ferguson dined on barbecued ribs, French fries, and apple pie.

Dead Men Eat No Tails?

The old pirate saying claims "Dead men tell no tales," but they do apparently EAT tails. That was the case, anyway, with Robert Henry, who was executed by the state of Florida yesterday. For his final meal, Henry ordered oxtail, red beans and rice, pecan pie, ice cream, and orange juice.

Henry was convicted of beating two women with a hammer than setting them on fire during the course of a robbery. In his final statement, Henry had harsh words for the death penalty, saying it was unfair to kill those who have killed others.

Ray Jasper Goes from Rap to R.I.P.

Aspiring musician Ray Jasper wasn't much of a rap star, but he did build up quite a rap sheet. Jasper was executed by the state of Texas tonight for his part in the murder of a recording studio owner back in 1998. Jasper, who committed the crime along with two other men, claimed that he only slit the victim's throat and that the 25 stab wounds inflicted by the other two men are what ultimately caused the victim's demise.

Because Texas no longer allows special last meals, Jasper was served the same food as the rest of his unit. For his last meal, Jasper had baked chicken, roasted potatoes, a vegetable blend, navy beans, and sliced bread. He was given a choice of tea, punch, or water to drink.

Peanut Butter and Jail-y

Paul Augustus Howell was executed tonight by the state of Florida for his part in the death of a highway trooper. Howell was a drug trafficker who built a pipe bomb to kill two murder witnesses, but a Florida trooper was killed instead when he pulled the car containing the pipe bomb over during a routine traffic stop.

I can think of many reasons why Howell should have ordered an exceptional last meal prior to his demise. First, he was convicted in the state that serves the finest last meals in the country. Steak, lobster, fancy desserts--they're all available if your rendezvous with the Grim Reaper happens to take place in the Sunshine State. Second, Howell's middle name was Augustus, just like the first emperor of Rome. At the very least, he should've ordered a Caesar salad. Third, Howell was of Jamaican ancestry. I'm sure those talented Florida prison chefs could've whipped up some jerk chicken, oxtail soup, or something else with a little Caribbean flair.

But instead of choosing any of those options for his last meal, Paul Howell asked for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The lowest item on the culinary food chain, something that would barely raise the excitement level of your average kindergarten student. And Howell's choice begs another question as well; how do you utter your last words when your tongue is stuck to the roof of your mouth? Only Howell knows, and at this point, he's not talking.

No Soup for You, Michael Anthony Taylor

Movie fans around the world were stunned this morning to learn that the state of Missouri has executed one of the stars of such classic teen films as Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.

Uh, wait. Scratch that. We’re being told that man’s name is Anthony Michael Hall.

Take two.

Music fans around the world were stunned this morning to learn that the state of Missouri has executed the former bass player for the rock group Van Halen.

Uh, wait. Scratch that. We’re being told that man’s name is Michael Anthony.

Take three.

Fans of justice were pleased to learn that the state of Missouri has executed Michael Anthony Taylor for his part in the brutal kidnap, rape, and murder of a teenage girl in 1989. Taylor had no last words, and also didn’t request a special last meal. He was served potato soup and a sandwich.