I've been hanging round this popsicle stand way too long, Warden
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/12/04/
By Alasdair Palmer
(Filed: 04/12/2005)
On Thursday, Kenneth Boyd gained an unenviable place in history: he
became the 1,000th person to be executed in the United States since a moratorium on judicially-sanctioned killing ended 28 years ago.
In 1972, the US Supreme Court had ruled that federal and state laws which allowed discretion in the implementation of the death penalty were unconstitutional, because they were "arbitrary and capricious", and therefore "cruel and unusual". Executions in the US had, in fact, ceased several years earlier. The pause had been the consequence of opposition from voters, politicians, lawyers and judges.
The death penalty made a comeback, however. States in the South, particularly, soon had popular majorities in favour of its return, and laws were adjusted to get round the Supreme Court's objections. Executions restarted with the killing by firing squad of Gary Gilmore on Jan 17, 1977 in Utah. Every year since then, the number of people who have been killed as a result of a guilty verdict from the courts has increased.
Boyd, who was killed in North Carolina in the early hours of December 2 by lethal injection, seemed less concerned about being remembered as someone who murdered his estranged wife and her father - crimes which he admitted - than being known as the 1,000th prisoner to be executed. "I'd hate to be remembered like that," he said. "I don't like the idea of being picked as a number."
That, however, is the only way in which he is likely to be remembered.
Support for the death penalty has fallen across the US recently. "Life without parole" is growing in popularity as the preferred punishment for first-degree murder, partly as a result of the development of DNA evidence which has proved significant numbers of innocent people have been executed.
Nevertheless, two thirds of the electorate still supports executions. Capital punishment is not likely to end soon in America.
We print here the last words of some of those executed in just one state - Texas - over the past 28 years. The statements can be read in full at the website of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/deathrow.htm
G W Green, #576, age 49
Shot dead a Montgomery County juvenile probation officer and reserve deputy sheriff during an attempted armed robbery with two accomplices to steal his gun collection. One accomplice shot the officer three times but resisted Green's alleged urgings to kill the man's wife and daughter, 13.
Executed on November 12, 1991
"Let's do it, man. Lock and load. Ain't life a [expletive deleted]"
Edward Ellis, age 38
Murdered a 74-year-old woman in the bath. Her hands had been
handcuffed and a pillowcase tied around her neck so she suffocated.
Her death and that of two other women became known as ''The Bathtub
Slayings''.
Executed on March 3, 1992
"I just want everyone to know that the prosecutor and Bill Scott are sorry sons of bitches."
Lionel Thomas Herrera, age 45
Shot a policeman who stopped him for speeding. Before he died, the
officer identified a police mugshot of Herrera as the man who shot
him. It was the only evidence against him.
Executed on May 12, 1993
"I am innocent, innocent, innocent. Something very wrong is taking place tonight! May God bless you all. I am ready."
Markum Duff-Smith, age 46
Convicted for his part in the strangulation of his wealthy adoptive
mother in 1975. He had also wanted his step-father killed at the same
time but he had been away on business. Duff-Smith was arrested only
in 1979 on suspicion of masterminding the murders of his sister,
brother-in-law and their 14-month-old son in order to gain control of
their estate.
Executed on May 12, 1993
"I am the sinner of all sinners. I was responsible for the '75 and '79 cases. My trial was not just. It was not fair. They lied against me."
Raymond Kinnamon, age 53
Small-time robber and thief who pulled a gun in a bar and asked
everyone for their money. When one of the drinkers resisted, Kinnamon
shot him in the chest. He then took the man's wallet - which
contained $250.
Executed on December 11, 1994
"I am not ready to go but I have no choice. I want to say goodbye again to my boys. I know I'm missing somebody, but if there's anything I have left to say, it would be that I wish I had a Shakespearean vocabulary. But I missed out on some of my vocabulary. If my words can persuade you to discontinue this practice of executing people, please do so. If the citizens don't do away with
the death penalty, Texas won't be a safe place to be. I have no hate because revenge won't solve anything."
Earl Behringer, age 33
With an accomplice, he shot dead a 22-year-old man and his 21-year-
old fiancee, whose car was parked in a field. Both were shot
repeatedly in the head. His wallet and her purse were taken.
Executed on June 11, 1997
"It's a good day to die. I walked in here like a man and I am leaving here like a man. I had a good life. I have known the love of a good woman, my wife. I have a good family. Thank you for your love. To [my victims'] family, I am sorry for the pain I caused you. If my death gives you any peace, so be it."
Charles Livingston, age 35
Livingston attempted to rob a 38-year-old woman. She resisted. During
the struggle, he shot her twice in the throat before fleeing with her
purse.
Executed on November 21, 1997
"You all brought me here to be executed, not to make a speech. That's it."
Frank McFarland, age 34
Sexually assaulted and murdered a 26-year-old woman. She was raped,
then stabbed 50 times - but before she died she identified McFarland
as one of her assailants.
Executed on April 19, 1998.
"I owe no apologies for a crime I did not commit. Those who lied and fabricated evidence against me will have to answer for what they have done. I know in my heart what I did and I call upon the spirit of my ancestors and I swear to them - and now I am coming home."
William Davis, age 42
Murdered a 60-year-old man during an attempted robbery of an ice-
cream company. Davis had his execution stayed twice and believed he
would escape the death penalty but prosecutors continued to press for
it. At the third attempt, they got it.
Executed on Sept 4, 1999
"I would like say to the [victim's] family how truly sorry I am in my soul and in my heart of hearts for the pain and misery that I have caused by my actions. I am truly sorry. I hold nothing against no man. I hope that by donating my body to science that some parts of it can be used to help someone. And, oh, I would like to say in closing: What about those Cowboys?" [A reference to the American football team, the Dallas Cowboys]
Robert Atworth, age 30
Robbed and murdered a man whose body was found between two rubbish
dumpsters. The victim had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the
head, torso and groin area, as well as knife wounds to the abdomen
and chin. His wallet was missing and the little finger from his right
hand where he wore a ring had been severed.
Executed on December 14, 1999
"Remember this, if all you know is hatred, if all you know is blood love, you'll never be satisfied. For everybody out there that is like that and knows nothing but negative, kiss my proud, white Irish ass. I'm ready, Warden. Send me home."
James Moreland, age 33
Stabbed Clinton Corbet to death, and also indicted in the death of
John Royce Cravey. Both had been stabbed multiple times in teh back.
Executed on Jan 30, 2003
"I'm sorry and I really mean that - it's not just words. My life is all I can give. I stole two lives and I know it was precious to ya'll. That's the story of my whole, that's what alcohol will do for you. Oh, Jesus, Lord God, take me home. Precious Lord, take me home, Lord. Take me home, yes, Sir."
Granville Riddle, age 33
Bludgeoned a man to death after breaking into his house to rob him.
Riddle was 18. The evidence of a friend who drove him to the
residence on the fatal evening was critical to his conviction.
Executed on Jan 30, 2003
"I have no grudges against anyone or for any of the things that have gone wrong. I would like to say to the world, I have always been a nice person. I have never been mean-hearted or cruel."
Henry Dunn, age 28
With two accomplices, he abducted a man, stole his wallet, made him
strip naked, then shot him 15 times.
Executed on February 6, 2003
"Texas has executed innocent people, and tonight Texas has shown just how broke and unfair its system is. There is no clemency in Texas. The Texas justice system needs to be fixed. When an attorney can dismiss your appeal process, by missing a filing deadline or for failing to file documents on behalf of a client, that is not due process of law as guaranteed under the US Constitution. To my family and friends, and the many supporters around the world, I love you dearly. Please continue to struggle and fight against the death penalty, as its only use has been for revenge, and it does not deter crime. Its time for a moratorium on death in Texas."
Richard Williams, age 33
Murdered a woman by stabbing her in the chest and throat with an 8in-
long steak knife. He was paid $400 to do the killing, although he
said he had been promised $12,000. Converted to Islam while in prison.
Executed on February 23, 2003
"A system that is supposed to protect and uphold what is just and right has shown it is as crooked as I am said to be. Who wins? No one does. There's no victory, no heroes, no happiness - except with Allah. I leave with Allah's blessing as well as mercy. I am free now."
Billy Vickers, age 58
Career robber and burglar who shot and killed a man with two accomplices as he returned home with the day's takings from his business. He used his last statement to try to get his accomplices off.
Executed on January 28, 2004
"Tommy Perkins - the man that got a life sentence for murdering Kinslow - did not do it. I did it. He would not have had anything to do with it if he had known that I was going to shoot the man. He would not even have gone with me if he had known. And Martin, the younger boy, did not know what it was about. He thought it was just a robbery... [Vickers then went on to admit his part in 14 other murders]... All of these - it was never nothing personal. It was just something I did to make a living. I am sorry for all the grief I have caused, that is all I have to say."
Kelsey Patterson, age 50
Shot a man and his secretary outside their office. No motive was ever
established. The prosecution claimed that Patterson had once had an
argument with his victim over who was the better football player:
Patterson or the son of the man he would later shoot.
Executed on May 18, 2004
"I am not guilty. There is no kin and no friend here. No kin to you undertaker. Murderer!.. [the record then "omits a portion of the statement due to profanity"]... Get my money. Give me my rights. Give me my rights. Give me my rights. Give me my life back."
Jasen Busby, age 28
Murdered Brandy Gray, a 16-year-old girl.
Executed on August 25, 2004
"Brandy and I had a suicide pact, and I just didn't come through with it. That didn't come out at my trial." [Busby did not mention that he had also killed the girl's companion and shot another man in the neck - the latter survived to be the principal witness against Busby. That did come out at his trial.]
George Hopper, age 49
Murdered a woman after being hired to kill her for $1,000. He broke
into her house, tied her to a bed, stripped her, then tried to rape
her. When she freed one of her arms and started to hit back, Hopper
shot her twice.
Executed on March 8, 2005
"I apologise to you. I am sorry. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. The things I did changed so many lives. I can't take it back. It was an atrocity."
Douglas Roberts, age 42
Stabbed a man seven times, then ran over his body because he "wanted
to get it over with".
Executed on April 20, 2005
"Warden, I've been hanging around this popiscle stand way too long. But before I leave. I want to say: When I die, bury me deep, lay two speakers at my feet, put some headphones on my head and rock and roll me when I'm dead. I'll see you in heaven someday. That's all, warden."
David Martinez, age 29
Sexually assaulted and murdered a 24-year-old woman, cutting her
throat with his pocket knife.
Executed on July 28, 2005
"Only the blue sky and the green grass go on for ever. Today is a good day to die. Warden..."
Frances Newton, age 40
Shot her husband for the life insurance policy she had taken out in
his name. She was arrested on the day she put in her claim.
Executed on September 14, 2005.
The offender declined to make a last statement.
Charles Thomas, age 34
Shot a man from whom he was buying drugs in the dealer's home, then
went upstairs and shot the man's two children.
Executed on Nov 16, 2005 [the most recent execution in Texas]
"I am nervous. It is hard to put my thoughts together. Sometimes you don't know what to say. I don't know what to say. Let everyone know I love them - and love is unconditional, as Mama has always told us. I may be gone in the flesh, but I am always with you in spirit."
Dying words of criminals before execution - famous last words
Capital punishment: Them without the capital get the punishment.
Executed in electric chair, Florida.
~~ John Spenkelink, d. May 25, 1979
