As the murderer became the first American to be executed by nitrogen asphyxia, he told the world: “Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backwards . . . I’m leaving with love, peace and light.”
10
10
But while his message was poignant, others facing the death penalty in the States have cracked jokes, predicted sport results and even mentioned vegetables in their final moments.
Here, we reveal some of the famous last words spoken by inmates before they met their maker.
Jimmy Glass, 25, who was executed by electrocution in Louisiana in 1987 after a robbery and murder, joked in his final moments: “I’d rather be fishing.”
10
Harrison Gibson, who was hanged in 1917 in Montana after being convicted of murder, said: “They can’t kill a smile.”
Serial killer Frederick Wood, 51, who was executed by electric chair in New York in 1963, parted with the wisecrack: “Gents, this is an educational project. You are about to witness the damaging effect electricity has on Wood.”
Murderer Robert Charles Towery, 47, who died by lethal injection in Arizona in 2012, said bizarrely: “I love my family. Potato, potato, potato.”
10
Cop killer George Appel, 41, became infamous for his last words uttered at the electric chair in New York in 1928: “Gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel.”
10
Robert Alton Harris, a 39-year-old murderer who was executed in a California gas chamber in 1992 for killing two teenage boys, said: “You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the Grim Reaper.”
10
James Lewis Jackson, 47, who was executed by lethal injection in Texas in 2007 for murdering his wife and two stepdaughters, said: “I’m ready to roll. Time to get this party started.”
Murderer Robert Atworth, 31, executed by lethal injection in Texas in 1999, said: “Kiss my proud white Irish ass. I’m ready, warden – send me home.”
10
Bobby Ramdass, 29, who died by lethal injection in Virginia in 2000 after he murdered a shop worker, gave a sporting prediction: “Redskins are going to the Super Bowl.” (They didn’t).
10
George Bernard Harris, 41 – executed by lethal injection in Missouri in 2000 after shooting a man dead – joked: “Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney.”
10
Sex worker Aileen Wuornos, 46, executed by lethal injection in Florida in 2002 after being convicted of murdering six of her male clients, said: “I’d 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 mothership and all. I’ll be back.”
10