What do people say right before being executed? The following are actual last words of people before they received lethal injections in Texas. This is from New York Times.
- Go ahead?
- Nothing I can say can change the past.
- I done lost my voice.
- I would like to say goodbye.
- My heart goes is going ba bump ba bump ba bump.
- Is the mike on?
- I don’t have anything to say. I am just sorry about what I did.
- I am nervous and it is hard to put my thoughts together. Sometimes you don’t know what to say.
- Man, there is a lot of people there.
- I have come here today to die, not make speeches.
- Where’s Mr. Marino’s mother? Did you get my letter?
- I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me. You don’t have to.
- I wish I could die more than once to tell you how sorry I am.
- Could you please tell that lady right there — can I see her? She is not looking at me — I want you to understand something, hold no animosity toward me. I want you to understand. Please forgive me.
- I don’t think the world will be a better or safer place without me.
- I am sorry.
- I want to tell my mom that I love her.
- I caused her so much pain and my family and stuff. I hurt for the fact that they are going to be hurting.
- I am taking it like a man.
- Kick the tires and light the fire. I am going home.
- They may execute me but they can’t punish me because they can’t execute an innocent man.
- I couldn’t do a life sentence.
- I said I was going to tell a joke. Death has set me free. That’s the biggest joke.
- To my sweet Claudia, I love you.
- Cathy, you know I never meant to hurt you.
- I love you, Irene.
- Let my son know I love him.
- Tell everyone I got full on chicken and pork chops.
- I appreciate the hospitality that you guys have shown me and the respect, and the last meal was really good.
- The reason it took them so long is because they couldn’t find a vein. You know how I hate needles. ... Tell the guys on Death Row that I’m not wearing a diaper.
- Lord, I lift your name on high.
- From Allah we came and to Allah we shall return.
- For everybody incarcerated, keep your heads up.
- Death row is full of isolated hearts and suppressed minds.
- Mistakes are made, but with God all things are possible.
- I am responsible for them losing their mother, their father and their grandmother. I never meant for them to be taken. I am sorry for what I did.
- I can’t take it back.
- Lord Jesus forgive of my sins. Please forgive me for the sins that I can remember.
- All my life I have been locked up.
- Give me my rights. Give me my rights. Give me my rights. Give me my life back.
- I am tired.
- I deserve this.
- A life for a life.
- It’s my hour. It’s my hour.
- I’m ready, Warden.
Does reading this change your stance on the death penalty?
Not really.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel that this has changed my stance on how I view the death penalty. However, I was surprised to read of the respect some of the inmates showed during their final hours.
ReplyDeleteI guess I expected more anger and desperation. I find it interesting that more statements were not made professing innocence. I wonder if it's due to in inmate making peace with the inevitable?
The quote "I don’t think the world will be a better or safer place without me." truly sums up the debate regarding the death penalty.