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20 Strangest Last Meal Requests On Death Row

"Palates and Peculiarities: Unveiling Last Meal Requests"

By Franck SenpxPublished 10 months ago 10 min read
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In certain states of America and other countries where capital punishment is legal, there exists a peculiar tradition for those on death row—the infamous last meal. Convicted criminals are given the opportunity to choose any food and drink they desire, within certain restrictions, on the eve of their execution. Here, we delve into some of the most unusual meals ever documented.

Let's start with number 20, the case of Victor Harry Feguer. Back in 1963, this 28-year-old was sentenced to death by hanging for the heinous crime of kidnapping and murder. For his final meal, Feguer made an interesting request—a single olive with the pit intact. Curiously enough, after his execution, the olive pit was found in Feguer's suit pocket, leading many to believe that he intended to be buried with it. It was speculated that he hoped the olive tree, symbolizing peace, would sprout from his grave. Quite a sentimental gesture for a dangerous criminal, wouldn't you say?

Moving on to number 19, we encounter Gerald Lee Mitchell. His final meal took an entirely different turn, as Mitchell had only one thing on his mind—Jolly Ranchers Candy. As he awaited his imminent fate on death row, he chose to indulge in an assortment of these sweet treats. By finishing the entire bag before facing the ultimate curtain, Mitchell was certainly aiming for a sugar high to accompany him on his final journey.

Number 18: Lawrence Russel Brewer. This convicted killer and white supremacist decided to take full advantage of his last meal opportunity in 2011. Brewer's request was anything but modest. He ordered an extravagant feast consisting of two fried chicken steaks with gravy and onion, a triple bacon cheeseburger, a cheese omelet loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos, three fajitas, a meat feast pizza, a bowl of fried okra, a pound of barbecued meat with half a loaf of white bread, peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts, and a pint of Blue Bell ice cream. To wash it all down, he demanded three root beers. However, in a final act of defiance, Brewer refused to eat a single morsel when his order arrived, claiming he wasn't hungry. This act of rebellion angered Texas Senator John Whitmire, who subsequently decided to ban last meal requests in the state. So, future death row prisoners have Lawrence Russel Brewer to thank for their less indulgent prison fare.

At number 17, we encounter John Wayne Gacy, the notorious serial killer known as the killer clown Pogo. Gacy's last meal reflected his love for a particular fast-food chain. He ordered 12 fried shrimp, a bucket of KFC's original recipe chicken, french fries, and a pound of strawberries. It seems Gacy, who had managed three KFC restaurants in the past, never grew tired of the finger-licking goodness.

Now, let's move on to number 16—John Spenkelink. Interestingly, food wasn't the priority for Spenkelink when it came to his final order. Once known as a heavy drinker, he eschewed special food requests and instead asked for a flask of Jack Daniels. He then proceeded to share it with the prison superintendent. As a result of this unusual request, the state of Florida revised its last meal provisions, excluding alcohol altogether. Well, going out with a buzz doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all.

Number 15: Aileen Wuornos, the infamous killer, had an unusual last request before she met her demise in 2002. Instead of the typical final meal, she simply desired a cup of strong black coffee. One might interpret this as her way of saying, "Don't even think about ending my life before I've had my morning caffeine fix." However, Wuornos had far more bizarre motivations. Her final words were filled with delusions, proclaiming, "I'd just like to say I'm sailing with the rock, and I'll be back like Independence Day with Jesus on June 6." Yet, it's safe to say she never returned.

Number 14: Ricky Ray Rector, following a similar path, made an interesting choice for his last meal. He ordered a delectable feast consisting of steak, fried chicken, and cherry Kool-Aid. However, he left his dessert untouched. When asked about this change of heart, Rector simply replied that he was saving it for later. Was it a clever irony or a sinister hint that he believed in an afterlife? The interpretation is left to the imagination.

Number 13: The senseless killer, Timothy McVeigh, surprised everyone with his final culinary request in 2001. Given the gravity of his crimes, one would expect a somber choice. Yet, all McVeigh desired before his execution was two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Whether the second pint remained chilled as he devoured the first or melted into a pool beside it remains a mystery. Frankly, for a man responsible for the deaths of 168 innocent lives, even melted ice cream seems overly generous.

Number 12: David Leon Woods, a convicted murderer who spent an agonizing 22 years on death row, faced his final moments on May 4, 2007, in Michigan, Indiana. When the time arrived, Woods had a simple request for his last meal: a standard pizza and an entire birthday cake. Surprisingly, he shared these indulgences with his family. However, the twist was that his birthday was actually three months after his execution date. But in dire circumstances, beggars can't be choosers.

Number 11: Thomas J. Grasso, a criminal known for his poor decision-making, made a peculiar choice for his last meal in 1995. Instead of opting for a conventional order, Grasso went for an extravagant array of foods. He requested two dozen steamed clams, half a dozen barbecued ribs, a Burger King double cheeseburger, two strawberry milkshakes, and a can of Spaghettios to be served at room temperature. However, when Grasso's meal arrived, he was served spaghetti and meatballs instead. This mistake proved unforgivable, as his final words conveyed his displeasure, "I did not get my Spaghettios. I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this."

Number 10: Stephen Wayne Anderson, another intriguing character, added a peculiar twist to his final meal in California in 2002. This 48-year-old criminal requested two grilled cheese sandwiches, a pint of cottage cheese, a hominy corn mixture, peach pie, chocolate chip ice cream, and, surprisingly, a generous serving of radishes on the side. It seems his taste in food matched his eccentric personality.

Number 9: Peter J. Miniel, a convicted killer, went all out with one of the most extravagant orders ever seen on death row in 2004. Miniel, who openly confessed to his crimes, had an insatiable appetite before facing the consequences. His jaw-dropping request included 20 beef tacos, 20 beef enchiladas, two double

cheeseburgers, a pizza with jalapenos, fried chicken, spaghetti with salt, and a dessert ensemble comprising half a chocolate cake, half a vanilla cake, cookies and cream ice cream, caramel pecan fudge ice cream, and a small fruitcake. To wash it all down, he also requested two lots of Coke, Pepsi, root beer, and orange juice. Perhaps he intended to go out with a bang, akin to Henry VIII's legendary feasts.

Number 8: Velma Barfield, dubbed the Death Row Granny, was the first woman executed in the US in 22 years in 1982. This seemingly sweet and religious grandmother, responsible for six deaths, surprised everyone with her final meal request. While one might expect a cup of tea or a slice of cake, all Barfield desired was a packet of Cheez Doodles and a can of Coke. But then again, with her contradictory nature and heinous acts, who could truly anticipate her preferences?

Number 7: Robert Alton Harris, when faced with the decision of his last meal, opted for the ultimate indulgence in 1992. Rather than choosing between different takeout options, Harris combined them all. He requested a mouthwatering 21-piece bucket of KFC, two large Domino's pizzas, a six-pack of Pepsi with ice cream, a bag of jelly beans for dessert, and even a packet of Camel cigarettes to top it off. But it was his final words that left a lasting impact: "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the Grim Reaper." It's an eerily prophetic statement for a seasoned criminal.

Number 6: Ronnie Lee Gardner, unlike his fellow inmates, aimed to make his last meal a memorable experience in 2010. While his order of steak, lobster tail, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and a refreshing 7-Up seemed relatively normal, Gardner had an additional request. He wanted to watch the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy while savoring his meal. Surprisingly, this unique wish was granted, resulting in the longest last meal ever recorded with a combined runtime of over 11 hours.

Number 5: Philip Workman, taking a selfless approach, deviated from the path of gluttony with his final meal request. Instead of indulging himself, he ordered a large vegetarian pizza to be given to a random homeless person. Unfortunately, prison officials refused to fulfill this request, and Workman went without a meal. However, on the day of his execution, homeless shelters in Tennessee received an influx of vegetarian pizzas from people all across the country. At least he managed to inspire a compassionate act before his untimely end.

Number 4: Angel Nieves Diaz, known for his condemnation of the death penalty, surprisingly rejected any special last meal in 2006. Instead, he opted to receive the regular Wednesday prison menu, featuring shredded turkey with taco seasoning, cheese, rice, pinto beans, tortilla shells, apple crisp, and ice cream. Although it may sound appealing, Diaz refused to consume anything, using his final words to condemn capital punishment as an act of vengeance and human cowardice.

Number 3: Oba Chandler had an eccentric taste when it came to his final meal in 2011. He ordered two salami sandwiches on white bread with mustard and peanut butter, accompanied by a grape jelly sandwich on white bread, and washed it all down with iced tea and coffee. With such unusual choices, one might say he went out with a crumbly sense of humor.

Number 2, Robert Dale Conklin, a man with a discerning palate and expensive taste. His wish list boasted culinary extravagance: filet mignon expertly wrapped in crispy bacon, succulent de-veined shrimp sautéed in aromatic garlic butter with a refreshing squeeze of lemon, a baked potato adorned with creamy sour cream, tantalizing chives, and delectable real bacon bits. But that's not all! Conklin's extravagant feast included tender corn on the cob, delectable asparagus smothered in luscious Hollandaise sauce, freshly baked French bread with a generous spread of creamy butter, a heavenly serving of goat cheese, a slice of mouthwatering cantaloupe, and to cap it off, a scoop of velvety vanilla bean ice cream accompanied by a refreshing glass of iced tea. A feast fit for a king, or in this case, a departing soul with an exceptional taste for the finer things in life.

Number 1, James Edward Smith, a convicted felon whose last meal request took a sharp detour into the realm of the bizarre. In the annals of peculiar final meal choices, Smith's stands out as one of the most bewildering ever recorded. As his fateful day approached in the year 1990, his sole desire was rather unconventional—a lump of soil. Yes, you read that correctly. Smith's appetite seemed to have veered into the peculiar and mysterious. While some speculated that he had genuine intentions of devouring the earthy matter, others believed it was intended for a more mystical purpose—a voodoo ritual. The specifics of his request were hauntingly precise: the soil had to be of the rhaekunda variety, linked to the eerie practices of witchcraft. Alas, the prison regulations forbade the inclusion of dirt in the menu, leading to Smith's denied request. Instead, he was handed a cup of yogurt—a peculiar but seemingly sensible substitute, given the circumstances.

Now, my dear readers, imagine you found yourself in their shoes, with your last meal looming before you. What would your heart desire? Would it be an extravagant feast like Conklin's, showcasing the pinnacle of culinary delights, or would you venture into uncharted territories like Smith, choosing an enigmatic and unconventional fare? The decision is yours to ponder. Share your thoughts in the comments below and let your imagination run wild with the possibilities that lie on the final plate.

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Franck Senpx

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