People have been intrigued by the last words said by death row inmates. Will they express remorse? Anger? Sadness? Fear? Or will their final statement be bizarre ramblings? From notorious killers to lesser-known convicted criminals, here is a list of the last words said by 15 death row inmates:
1. Aileen Wuornos, 2002
Crime: Murdered seven men, which she claimed was in self-defense. Her life inspired the movie "Monster," which starred Charlize Theron, according to Police1.
Last words: "Yes, I would just like to say I'm sailing with the Rock, and I'll be back, like Independence Day with Jesus. June 6, like the movie. Big mother ship and all, I'll be back, I'll be back.”
2. George Harris, 2000
Crime: Fatally shot a man in a drug house during an argument, Mirror reported.
Last words: "Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney.”
3. James French, 1966
Crime: Murdered a driver who picked him up as a hitchhiker, then killed his inmate while serving a life sentence, according to Police1.
Last words: "How about this for a headline for tomorrow's paper? French fries."
4. Abel Revill Ochoa, 2020
Crime: Fatally shot his wife, two daughters aged 7 and 9, father-in-law and sister-in-law, Fox News reported.
Last words: "I would like to thank God, my dad, my Lord Jesus savior for saving me and changing my life. I want to apologize to my in-laws for causing all this emotional pain. I love y’all and consider y’all my sister I never had. I want to thank you for forgiving me."
5. John Gardner, 2020
Crime: Fatally shot a 41-year-old woman during a home robbery, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Last words: "Thank you thank you where’s the family, ok I would like to say sorry for the grief I have caused. I hope you find peace, joy and closure. Whatever it takes to forgive me. I am sorry. I know you cannot forgive me but I hope one day you will. To my friends, I love ya’ll. You have been good and such good influence people. I want to see the Lord Jesus so bad. I hope you all understand. I am going to ask the Warden to start. And ask Jesus to help them to forgive me one day please. I am very sorry. For you guys I love you. Thank you Warden."
6. Robert Sparks, 2019
Crime: Stabbed his wife and two stepsons to death then raped his two stepdaughters, Fox News reported.
Last words: Speaking to family members watching through chamber windows he said: "I am sorry for the hard times. And what hurts me is that I hurt y'all ... even y'all, too. I love you all. … I feel it."
7. Justen Hall, 2019
Crime: Strangled a woman to death with an electrical cord, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Last words: "Yeah, I want to address the Roundtree family and apologize for the pain and suffering I caused. And to the Diaz’s family that I had to put you through this, it should have never happened. And to my mom and Morelia I love you and I’m going to miss you all. I’m ready."
8. Robert Charles Towery, 2012
Crime: Strangled a man to death during a home robbery, according to Mirror.
Last words: "I love my family. Potato, potato, potato."
9. Johnny Frank Garrett, 1992
Crime: Raped and murdered a nun, Police1 reported.
Last words: "I'd like to thank my family for loving me and taking care of me. And the rest of the world can kiss my ass."
10. Don Johnson, 2019
Crime: Suffocated his wife, according to Fox News.
Last words: "No more dying here."
11. John Battaglia, 2018
Crime: Fatally shot his two daughters, aged 6 and 9, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Last words: "No, Well, Hi Mary Jean. See y’all later. Go ahead please."
12.George Appel, 1928
Crime: Murdered a police officer, according to Mirror.
Last words: "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
13. Thomas J. Grasso, 1995
Crime: Strangled an elderly woman with Christmas lights during a home robbery then, six months later, murdered an elderly man to steal his Social Security check, Police1 reported.
Last words: "I did not get my Spaghetti-O's, I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this." Grasso was referring to his last meal.
14: Billie Wayne Coble, 2019
Crime: Killed estranged wife's parents and his brother, according to Fox News.
Last words: "That'll be five dollars, take care."
15. Terry Edwards, 2017
Crime: Fatally shot a man and woman while robbing a restaurant. He and the co-defendant then took money from the cash register and fled the scene, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Last words: "Yes, I made peace with God. I hope y'all make peace with this."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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