A condemned prisoner's last meal is a customary ritual preceding execution. In many countries, the prisoner may, within reason, select what the last meal will be.
Contrary to the common belief that all last meal requests, regardless of their complexity, must be fulfilled, various restrictions are in place over what can be requested.[1][2]
In the United States, most states give the meal a day or two before execution and use the euphemism "special meal". Alcohol and tobacco are usually, but not always, denied. Unorthodox or unavailable requests are replaced with similar substitutes. Some states place tight restrictions. Sometimes, a prisoner asks to share the last meal with another inmate (as Francis Crowley did with John Resko in 1932) or has the meal distributed among other inmates (as requested by Raymond Fernandez in 1951).[3]
In Florida, the food for the last meal must be purchased locally and the cost is limited to $40.[4] In Oklahoma, the cost is limited to $25. In Louisiana, the prison warden traditionally joins the condemned prisoner for the last meal. On one occasion, the warden paid for an inmate's lobster dinner.[5]
In Texas, the tradition of customized last meals is thought to have been established around 1924.[6] However, in September 2011, the state of Texas abolished all special meal requests after condemned prisoner Lawrence Russell Brewer requested a large and expensive last meal. Brewer did not eat any of it, stating that he was not hungry.[7][8][5][9] Since then, the prisoner's last meal is whatever is being served in the Huntsville Unit cafeteria on the day of execution.[10]
This represents the items requested, as reported, but does not in all cases represent what the prisoner actually received.
Name | Crime | Country | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roger Casement | Treason (enlisting help from the German Empire for the Easter Rising) | UK | 1916 | Hanging | Sacramental bread. Casement converted to Catholicism before his execution and stated he intended to go "to my death with the body of my God as my last meal."[11] |
Ruth Ellis | Murder | UK | 1955 | Hanging | Scrambled egg.[12] |
Véronique Frantz | Serial murder | France | 1854 | Decapitation by guillotine | Café au lait and a bread roll.[13] |
Fritz Haarmann | Serial murder | Germany | 1925 | Decapitation by guillotine | An expensive cigar and a cup of Brazilian coffee.[14] |
Karl Hopf | Serial murder | Germany | 1914 | Decapitation by hatchet | Sausages, bread and beer.[15] |
Mathias Kneißl | Murder and robbery | Germany | 1902 | Decapitation by guillotine | Six glasses of beer.[16] |
Peter Kürten | Serial murder and rape | Germany | 1931 | Decapitation by guillotine | Wiener schnitzel, fried potatoes and a bottle of white wine. He requested a second helping and received it.[17] |
Louis XVI | High treason | France | 1793 | Decapitation by guillotine | A pan-fried chicken, some pastries, boiled beef and puréed turnips. He additionally received a dessert consisting of two chicken wings, vegetables, two glasses of wine cut with water, a piece of sponge cake, and a glass of Malaga wine.[18] |
Charles Peace | Serial murder | UK | 1879 | Hanging | Eggs and a large amount of salty bacon. He asked for a cup of iced water but he was denied it.[19] |
Karl Ludwig Sand | Manslaughter | Germany | 1820 | Decapitation by sword | Gruel.[20] |
Friedrich Schumann | Serial murder | Germany | 1921 | Decapitation by hatchet | Frikadellen and Teltow turnips.[21] |
Adolf Seefeldt | Serial murder | Nazi Germany | 1936 | Decapitation by guillotine | A roast chicken.[22] |
Name | Crime | Country | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amrozi and Huda bin Abdul Haq | Terrorism; involved in the 2002 Bali bombings | Indonesia | 2008 | Firing squad | Roti canai and chips made from Indian three-leaved yam. The two were brothers and shared the same last meal, which was provided by their family.[23] |
Freddy Budiman | Possession of narcotic drugs | Indonesia | 2016 | Firing squad | Homemade meals made by his former mother-in-law: Otak-otak fish cakes, and rendang.[24] |
Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran |
Australian ringleaders of the Bali Nine | Indonesia | 2015 | Firing squad | KFC. Although Indonesia does not normally grant last meal requests, Sukumaran and Chan were granted their KFC feast via officials.[25] |
Cheng Chieh | Mass murder; involved in the 2014 Taipei Metro attack | Taiwan | 2016 | Gunshot | Bento, consisting of stewed pork, rice and vegetables.[26] |
Leo Echegaray | Rape of his 10-year-old stepdaughter | Philippines | 1999 | Lethal injection | Sardines and dried fish. When the reprieve was announced, he shared the food with relatives who had gathered at the prison.[27] |
Adolf Eichmann | Holocaust perpetrator | Israel | 1962 | Hanging | Declined a special meal, instead requesting a bottle of Carmel red wine with the usual prison food of cheese, bread, olives, and tea. He drank about half of the bottle.[28] |
Mona Fandey | Murder | Malaysia | 2001 | Hanging | Declined a last meal; she was instead given a dinner from KFC.[29][30] |
Saddam Hussein | Crimes against humanity | Iraq | 2006 | Hanging | The Times states that "he refused their offers of cigarettes and a last meal of chicken and shawarma rice."[31] Other sources state Hussein ate his last meal of chicken and rice, and had a cup of hot water with honey. Regardless of the source, whatever Hussein actually had for his last meal remains a mystery.[32] |
Ajmal Kasab | Terrorism; involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks | India | 2012 | Hanging | A tomato along with "jail food", and two cups of masala tea. He also drank four bottles of mineral water.[33][34] |
Yakub Memon | Terrorism; involved in the 1993 Bombay bombings | India | 2015 | Hanging | Declined a special meal; he was given a breakfast of upma, which he did not eat.[35] |
Imam Samudra | Terrorism; involved in the 2002 Bali bombings | Indonesia | 2008 | Firing squad | Emping mlinjo, sagon (Javanese coconut cookies), and pepes made from mackerel.[23] |
John Martin Scripps | Murder spree | Singapore | 1996 | Hanging | A pizza and a cup of hot chocolate.[36] |
Tangaraju Suppiah | Drug trafficking | Singapore | 2023 | Hanging | Chicken rice, nasi biryani, ice cream soda, and Milo-flavoured sweets,[37] and a bowl of wanton noodles.[38] |
Sekarmadji Maridjan Kartosuwiryo | Rebellion, waging war against Indonesia | Indonesia | 1962 | Firing squad | Rendang and rice. He shared the meal with his wife and children, but he personally did not eat it.[39] |
Astini Sumiasih | Murder | Indonesia | 2005 | Firing squad | Bread, squid, and assorted fruits.[40] |
D. N. Aidit | 30 September Movement | Indonesia | 1965 | Firing squad (extrajudicial killing by army) | Bentoel cigarettes unsympathetically given by an army colonel upon request.[41] |
Hideki Tojo | Japanese War crimes | Japan | 1948 | Hanging | Rice, miso soup, and grilled fish.[42] |
Name | Crime | Province | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin | Murder | Ontario | 1962 | Hanging | Steak, potatoes, vegetables and pie.[43] |
Name | Crime | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|
Juanita Spinelli | Murder | 1941 | Gas chamber | Turkey meat and a hamburger.[44] |
Aaron Mitchell | Murder | 1967 | Gas chamber | Fried chicken, bread and butter, and milk.[44] |
Caryl Chessman | Kidnapping, rape and robbery | 1960 | Gas chamber | A sandwich and Coca-Cola.[44] |
Stanley Tookie Williams III | Murder | 2005 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal,[45] but had some oatmeal and milk before his execution.[46] |
Keith Daniel Williams | Murder | 1996 | Lethal injection | Fried pork chops, a baked potato with butter, asparagus, salad with blue cheese dressing, apple pie, and whole milk.[47] |
Thomas Martin Thompson | Murder | 1998 | Lethal injection | Alaskan king crab with melted butter, spinach salad, pork fried rice, Mandarin-style spare ribs, hot fudge sundae and a six-pack of Coca-Cola.[48] |
Jaturun Siripongs | Murder | 1999 | Lethal injection | Two cans of Lucky Arctic iced tea and two cups of Mission Pride canned peaches.[49] |
Robert Lee Massie | Murder | 2001 | Lethal injection | Two vanilla milkshakes, extra crispy french fries, extra crispy fried oysters, and soft drinks.[50] |
David Mason | Murder | 1993 | Gas chamber | Declined a special meal, but chose to have some ice water while waiting in his cell. |
Robert Alton Harris | Murder | 1992 | Gas chamber | A 21-piece bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, two large Domino's Pizzas, ice cream, a bag of jelly beans, a six-pack of Pepsi, and a pack of Camel cigarettes.[51][52] The pizzas were actually Tombstone Pizzas, per Vernell Crittendon's orders.[53] Crittendon worked at the prison and was responsible for dealing with the condemned person before his execution. |
Barbara Graham | Murder | 1955 | Gas chamber | A milkshake and a chocolate sundae.[54] |
Elizabeth Ann Duncan | Proxy murder | 1962 | Gas chamber | A steak and a salad.[55] |
William Bonin | Serial murder and rape | 1996 | Lethal injection | Two pepperoni and sausage pizzas, three servings of chocolate ice cream, and three six-packs of Coca-Cola and Pepsi.[56] |
Burton Abbott | Murder and rape | 1957 | Gas chamber | French fried butterfly jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce, one order of Ravioli, tossed green salad (mainly composed of romaine lettuce) with vinegar-and-oil dressing, chocolate cake, and a pack of Salem cigarettes.[44] |
Clarence Ray Allen | Proxy murder[a] | 2006 | Lethal injection | Buffalo steak, frybread, Kentucky Fried Chicken, sugar-free pecan pie, sugar-free black walnut ice cream, and whole milk. He let the ice-cream thaw out for an hour and turned it into a milkshake by hand.[57] |
Stephen Wayne Anderson | Murder | 2002 | Lethal injection | Two grilled cheese sandwiches, one pint of cottage cheese, a hominy-corn mixture, radishes, one slice of peach pie and one pint of chocolate chip ice cream.[58] |
Donald Jay Beardslee | Murder | 2005 | Lethal injection | Refused a special meal and had regular prison fare of chili macaroni, salad and cake.[59] |
Name | Crime | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Louis Evans | Murder | 1983 | Electrocution | A shrimp dinner.[44] |
Matthew Reeves | Murder | 2022 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but asked for a bottle of Sprite before his execution.[60] |
Domineque Ray | Murder and rape | 2019 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but had the regular breakfast meal for that day consisting of milk, eggs, jelly, two biscuits, prunes and potatoes.[61] |
Walter Moody | Murder | 2018 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but shared two philly cheesesteak sandwiches, a bag of chips, two Dr. Pepper sodas, one bag of M&M's and an almond Hershey bar with two attorneys and three friends before the execution.[62] |
Nathaniel Woods | Murder | 2020 | Lethal injection | Sweet potatoes, spinach, chicken patty, chicken leg quarter, cooked apples, fries, two oranges and orange flavored drink.[63] |
Thomas Warren Whisenhant | Serial murder | 2010 | Lethal injection | Chicken leg quarters, french fries, American cheese, orange drink, coffee and chocolate pudding.[64] |
James Barney Hubbard | Murder | 2004 | Lethal injection | Two fried eggs over-medium, four slices of bacon, sliced tomatoes, fried green tomatoes, pineapple slices with mayonnaise, white bread, a banana and a medium-sized bottle of V8 juice. |
Andrew Reid Lackey | Murder | 2013 | Lethal injection | Turkey bologna, french fries, and grilled cheese. |
Rhonda Belle Martin | Serial murder | 1957 | Electrocution | A hamburger, mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls and coffee.[65] |
Kenneth Eugene Smith | Murder | 2024 | Nitrogen hypoxia | A T-bone steak, hash browns, toast, and eggs slathered in A.1. Sauce.[66] Although Alabama typically provides last meals the afternoon of the execution, Smith's last meal was served at 10 AM, and he was not permitted to drink any fluids after 4 PM, two hours before his execution was scheduled to begin. This was done as a precaution to minimize the chance that Smith would vomit into his mask as the gas was being pumped in.[67] |
After Texas abolished last meal requests in 2011, all death row inmates in Texas have been served regular prison food.[68]
Name | Crime | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|
James David Autry | Murder | 1984 | Lethal injection | A hamburger, french fries and a Dr Pepper.[69] |
Odell Barnes Jr. | Murder | 2000 | Lethal injection | "Justice, Equality, World Peace." Because it was not a meal at all, Barnes' request could not be granted.[70] |
Lawrence Russell Brewer | Murder | 2011 | Lethal injection | Two chicken fried steaks smothered in gravy with sliced onions, a triple meat bacon cheeseburger with fixings on the side, a cheese omelet with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and jalapeños, a large bowl of fried okra with ketchup, one pound of barbecue with half a loaf of white bread, three fajitas with fixings, a Meat Lovers pizza, three root beers, one pint of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream, and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts.[71] Brewer's request was granted, but he refused the meal when it arrived saying that he was simply not hungry, prompting Texas to stop granting last meal requests to condemned inmates.[72] |
Charles Brooks Jr. | Murder | 1982 | Lethal injection | A T-bone steak, french fries, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, biscuits, peach cobbler and iced tea.[73] Originally Brooks wanted fried shrimp and oysters, but the prison chef told him shellfish was not an option.[74] |
Ruben Cantu | Murder | 1993 | Lethal injection | Fried chicken and rice.[75] |
Richard Cartwright | Murder | 2005 | Lethal injection | Fried chicken, a cheeseburger, onion rings, french fries, bacon, sausage, cheesecake and cinnamon rolls.[76] |
Ignacio Cuevas | Perpetrator of the 1974 Huntsville Prison Siege | 1991 | Lethal injection | Chicken and dumplings, steamed rice, sliced bread, black-eyed peas, and iced tea.[77] |
Humberto Leal Garcia | Murder and rape | 2011 | Lethal injection | Fried chicken, Pico de gallo, tacos, two colas and a bowl of fried okra.[78] |
Johnny Frank Garrett | Murder | 1992 | Lethal injection | Ice cream.[79] |
Kenneth Edward Gentry | Murder | 1997 | Lethal injection | Butter beans, mashed potatoes, onions, tomatoes, biscuits, chocolate cake and Dr Pepper.[80] |
Stephen Albert McCoy | Serial murder | 1989 | Lethal injection | A cheeseburger, french fries, and a strawberry milkshake.[81] |
Kenneth Allen McDuff | Serial murder | 1998 | Lethal injection | Two T-bone steaks (well done) with all the fixings.[82] |
Stephen Peter Morin | Serial murder | 1985 | Lethal injection | A T-bone steak, a baked potato, butter, sweet green peas, bread rolls, banana pudding and coffee.[83] |
Eric Charles Nenno | Murder and rape | 2008 | Lethal injection | A grilled cheeseburger, four fish patties, six hard boiled eggs and coffee.[84] |
Ronald Clark O'Bryan | Murder | 1984 | Lethal injection | T-bone steak (medium to well done), french fries with ketchup, whole kernel corn, sweet peas, a lettuce and tomato salad with sliced egg and French dressing, iced tea, sweetener, saltines, Boston cream pie, and rolls.[70] |
James Emery Paster | Serial murder | 1989 | Lethal injection | Steak, salad, french fried potatoes, and watermelon.[85] |
James Edward Smith | Murder | 1990 | Lethal injection | A lump of dirt, which was denied. He settled for a cup of yogurt.[86] |
Karla Faye Tucker | Murder | 1998 | Lethal injection | A banana, a peach and a salad with either Ranch or Italian dressing.[87] |
Name | Crime | State | Year | Method of execution | Requested meal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Albanese | Serial murder | Illinois | 1995 | Lethal injection | Prime rib, baked potato, garlic bread, coffee, Coca-Cola and pistachio ice cream.[88] |
Jack Alderman | Murder | Georgia | 2008 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal and was given the regular prison meal of the day consisting of baked fish, peas, cole slaw, carrots, cheese grits, buns, fruit juice, and chocolate cake.[89] Alderman originally chose fried chicken, fried shrimps and a pint of cherry or strawberry ice cream as a last meal, but did not receive it since his execution was stayed.[90] |
Wanda Jean Allen | Murder | Oklahoma | 2001 | Lethal injection | A bag of chips.[91] |
Lowell Lee Andrews | Murder | Kansas | 1962 | Hanging | Two fried chickens with sides of mashed potatoes, green beans and Pie a la Mode.[92] |
John Arnold | Murder | South Carolina | 1998 | Lethal injection | A sub sandwich, tossed salad, French fries and a vanilla milkshake, shared with his attorneys.[93] |
Joe Arridy | Falsely accused of rape and murder | Colorado | 1939 | Gas chamber | Ice cream.[94] |
Mark James Asay | Murder | Florida | 2017 | Lethal injection | Fried pork chops, fried ham, French fries, vanilla swirl ice cream, and a can of Coca-Cola.[95] |
Herman Dale Ashworth | Murder | Ohio | 2005 | Lethal injection | Two cheeseburgers with lettuce and mayonnaise, french fries with ketchup, one Dr Pepper and one Mountain Dew.[96] |
Frank Jarvis Atwood | Murder and kidnapping | Arizona | 2022 | Lethal injection | Declined a last meal, saying that he was fasting, then changed his mind and accepted a meal tray consisting of salami, mustard, peanut butter, jelly, wheat bread, a snack bag of tortilla chips, and a drink of water with a juice packet.[97] |
Billy Bailey | Murder | Delaware | 1996 | Hanging | A steak (well-done), a baked potato with sour cream and butter, buttered rolls, peas and vanilla ice cream.[98] |
Wesley Eugene Baker | Murder | Maryland | 2005 | Lethal injection | Breaded fish, pasta marinara, green beans, orange fruit punch, bread, and milk (this was what was on the prison menu that day).[99] |
Velma Barfield | Murder | North Carolina | 1984 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, having a bag of Cheez Doodles and a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola instead.[100] |
George W. Barrett | Murder | Federal government | 1936 | Hanging | Requested "the largest steak in town", but did not eat it. After his death, a reporter who had been present for the execution spotted the steak in the jail kitchen and helped himself to it.[101] |
Martha Beck | Serial murder | New York | 1951 | Electrocution | Fried chicken, fried potatoes and salad.[17] |
John A. Bennett | Rape and attempted murder | United States Army | 1961 | Hanging | Shrimp with cocktail sauce, hot rolls, cake, peaches, milk and coffee.[102] |
Brandon Bernard | Murder | Federal government | 2020 | Lethal injection | Meat lover's pizza and a brownie.[103] |
Rainey Bethea | Murder and rape | Kentucky | 1936 | Hanging | Fried chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, pickled cucumbers, cornbread, lemon pie, and ice cream.[104] |
Kenneth Biros | Murder and robbery | Ohio | 2009 | Lethal injection | A cheese pizza, onion rings with fried mushrooms, chips with French onion dip, cherry pie, blueberry ice cream and one Dr. Pepper.[105] |
Jesse Bishop | Murder | Nevada | 1979 | Gas chamber | Filet mignon, tossed salad with Thousand Island dressing, asparagus, baked potato with sour cream and an unspecified dessert.[106] |
Oscar Ray Bolin Jr. | Serial murder | Florida | 2016 | Lethal injection | Medium rare rib eye steak, a baked potato with butter and sour cream, a salad made of iceberg lettuce, cucumber and tomato, baked garlic bread, lemon meringue pie, and a bottle of Coca-Cola.[107] |
Gerald James Bordelon | Murder | Louisiana | 2010 | Lethal injection | Fried sac-a-lait fish, topped with crawfish étouffée, a peanut butter and apple jelly sandwich, and chocolate chip cookies.[108] |
Gary Ray Bowles | Serial murder | Florida | 2019 | Lethal injection | Three cheeseburgers, french fries and bacon.[109] |
Andrew Howard Brannan | Murder | Georgia | 2015 | Lethal injection | Three eggs over easy, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, sausage, pecan waffles with strawberries, milk, apple juice and decaf coffee.[110] |
James Briley | Murder, rape and robbery | Virginia | 1985 | Electrocution | Fried shrimps with cocktail sauce and a lemon-lime soft drink.[111] |
Linwood Briley | Murder, rape and robbery | Virginia | 1984 | Electrocution | Grilled tenderloin steak, a baked potato, green peas, a salad with french dressing, buttered rolls, cake, peaches, punch and milk.[112] |
Cal Coburn Brown | Murder | Washington | 2010 | Lethal injection | Combination meat pizza, apple pie, coffee, and milk. |
Russell Earl Bucklew | Murder | Missouri | 2019 | Lethal Injection | A gyro sandwich, a smoked brisket sandwich, two orders of french fries, a cola and a banana split.[113] Previously Bucklew had a t-bone steak, caesar salad, apple pie a la mode, and a baked potato before his execution was stayed.[114] |
Robert Anthony Buell | Murder | Ohio | 2002 | Lethal injection | A single, unpitted black olive. |
Judy Buenoano | Murder | Florida | 1998 | Electrocution | Asparagus, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes and a cup of tea.[115] |
Ted Bundy | Serial murder | Florida | 1989 | Electrocution | Declined a special meal, so he was given (but did not eat) the traditional steak (medium-rare), eggs (over easy), hash browns, toast, milk, coffee, juice, butter, and jelly.[28][116] |
Robert Earl Butts Jr. | Murder | Georgia | 2018 | Lethal injection | A bacon cheeseburger with American and cheddar cheese, a ribeye steak, six chicken tenders, seasoned French fries, cheesecake and strawberry lemonade.[117] |
Scott Dawn Carpenter | Murder | Oklahoma | 1997 | Lethal injection | Barbecue beef ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad and hot rolls served with lemonade.[118] |
Desmond Keith Carter | Murder | North Carolina | 2002 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but had two cheeseburgers, a steak sandwich, and two cans of Coca-Cola from the prison canteen, for which he paid $4.20 from his prison account.[119] |
Edward Castro | Murder | Florida | 2000 | Lethal injection | A T-Bone steak, fried shrimps, fried potatoes, fried onion rings, fried tomatoes, ice cream and Coca-Cola.[120] |
Carroll Cole | Serial murder | Nevada | 1985 | Lethal injection | Jumbo shrimp, french fries, tossed salad with French dressing, clam chowder, cookies and candy.[106] |
Alton Coleman | Murder spree | Ohio | 2002 | Lethal injection | Well done filet mignon smothered with mushrooms, fried chicken breasts, a salad with French dressing, sweet potato pie with whipped cream, french fries, collard greens, onion rings, cornbread, broccoli with melted cheese, biscuits and gravy, and a cherry Coca-Cola. |
Richard Cooey | Murder and rape | Ohio | 2008 | Lethal injection | T-bone steak with A-1 sauce, onion rings, french fries, four eggs over easy, toast with butter, hash browns, a pint of rocky road ice cream, a Mountain Dew soft drink and authentic bear claw pastries[121] |
Francis Crowley | Murder | New York | 1932 | Electrocution | Steak and onions, french fries, apple pie, ice cream and melted ice cream.[17] |
Allen Lee Davis | Murder | Florida | 1999 | Electrocution | One lobster tail, fried potatoes, a half-pound of fried shrimp, six ounces of fried clams, half a loaf of garlic bread, and 32 ounces of A&W root beer.[122] |
Gary Lee Davis | Murder | Colorado | 1997 | Lethal injection | Chocolate and vanilla ice cream cups, shared with the prison superintendent and a manager.[123] |
Troy Anthony Davis | Murder | Georgia | 2011 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal and was offered the standard meal tray: grilled cheeseburgers, oven-browned potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, cookies and a grape drink.[124] |
Carman L. Deck | Murder | Missouri | 2022 | Lethal injection | A ribeye steak, shrimps, asparagus, a salad with Italian dressing, cottage cheese and V8 juice.[125] |
John Deering | Murder | Utah | 1938 | Firing squad | Pheasant.[126] |
Ángel Nieves Díaz | Murder | Florida | 2006 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal. He was served the regular prison meal for that day consisting of shredded turkey with taco seasoning, shredded cheese, rice, pinto beans, tortilla shells, apple crisp and iced tea, but declined that as well.[127] |
Clarence Dixon | Murder | Arizona | 2022 | Lethal injection | Kentucky Fried Chicken, strawberry ice cream and a bottle of water.[128] |
Westley Allan Dodd | Serial murder and child molestation | Washington | 1993 | Hanging | Broiled salmon and fried potatoes.[129] |
John David Duty | Murder | Oklahoma | 2010 | Lethal injection | A double cheeseburger with mayonnaise, a foot-long hot dog with cheese, mustard and extra onions, a cherry limeade, and a large banana milkshake.[130] |
James Homer Elledge | Murder | Washington | 2001 | Lethal injection | Eggs, bacon, waffles, sweet roll, cereal and orange juice. Elledge did not eat the dinner despite requesting it; his last meal was instead a breakfast consisting of apple juice, oatmeal, toast, hash browns, coffee and eggs.[131] |
John Fautenberry | Serial killer | Ohio | 2009 | Lethal injection | Two eggs sunny side up, fried potatoes, two slices of fried bologna, four slices of wheat bread, two slices of buttered wheat toast, four tomato slices, lettuce with mayonnaise, two 3 Musketeers bars and two packages of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.[132] |
Victor Feguer | Murder | Federal government | 1963 | Hanging | Requested a single olive with the pit still in it.[133] |
Samuel Russell Flippen | Murder | North Carolina | 2006 | Lethal injection | Popcorn shrimp, hush puppies, french fries and a Coke.[134] |
Melbert Ray Ford Jr. | Murder | Georgia | 2010 | Lethal injection | Fried fish, shrimp, a baked potato, salad, boiled corn, ice cream, cheesecake and soda.[135] |
John Wayne Gacy | Serial murder | Illinois | 1994 | Lethal injection | A dozen deep-fried shrimp, a bucket of original recipe Kentucky Fried Chicken, french fries, a pound of strawberries, and a bottle of Diet Coke.[136] |
Ronnie Lee Gardner | Murder | Utah | 2010 | Firing squad | Lobster tail, steak, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and 7 Up. He also requested to watch The Lord of the Rings film trilogy while he ate his meal.[137] |
Carlton Michael Gary | Serial murder | Georgia | 2018 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal and requested the regular prison meal of the day: a grilled hamburger, a hot dog, white beans, coleslaw and grape beverage.[138] |
Juan Raul Garza | Murder and drug trafficking | Federal government | 2001 | Lethal injection | Steak, french fries, onion rings, three slices of bread, and a soda. |
Louis Gaskin | Murder | Florida | 2023 | Lethal injection | Barbeque pork ribs, buffalo wings, turkey neck, shrimp fried rice, french fries with honey barbeque sauce, and water. |
Gary Gilmore | Murder | Utah | 1977 | Firing squad | A hamburger, hard-boiled eggs, a baked potato, a few cups of coffee, and three shots of contraband Jack Daniel's whiskey.[28][136][139] |
Kelly Renee Gissendaner | Murder | Georgia | 2015 | Lethal injection | Cheese dip with chips, Texas nachos with fajita meat and a diet frosted lemonade. Previously Gissendaner had cornbread, buttermilk, two Burger King Whoppers, two large orders of french fries, cherry vanilla ice cream, popcorn, lemonade and a salad with boiled eggs, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, carrots, cheese and Paul Newman buttermilk dressing before her execution was stayed.[140] |
Arthur Frederick Goode III | Murder | Florida | 1984 | Electrocution | A steak, corn, broccoli and cookies.[141] |
David Alan Gore | Serial murder | Florida | 2012 | Lethal injection | Fried chicken, french fries & butter pecan ice cream.[142] |
John Marion Grant | Murder | Oklahoma | 2021 | Lethal injection | Two bacon cheeseburgers with onion, tomato, pickles, lettuce and mustard, barbeque chips, a 2-liter bottle of Mr. Pibb, a half-gallon of Neapolitan ice cream, and a large pack of Nutter Butter sandwich cookies.[143] |
Thomas J. Grasso | Murder | Oklahoma | 1995 | Lethal injection | Two dozen steamed mussels, two dozen steamed clams, a double cheeseburger from Burger King, half-dozen barbecued spare ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, half a pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and diced strawberries. He also had a 16-ounce can of spaghetti with meatballs, served at room temperature.[86] However, he issued a public statement complaining that he had requested SpaghettiOs, not regular canned spaghetti.[144] |
Randy Greenawalt | Serial murder | Arizona | 1997 | Lethal injection | Two cheeseburgers, french fries with extra salt, coffee with milk.[145] |
Douglas Edward Gretzler | Serial murder | Arizona | 1998 | Lethal injection | Six fried eggs (over easy), four strips of bacon (chewy), two slices of buttered white bread toast, one cup of coffee, and two bottles of Coca-Cola (served with ice).[146] |
Scott Allen Hain | Murder | Oklahoma | 2003 | Lethal injection | Three cheeseburgers, three orders of onion rings, ice cream and a Slush.[147] |
Carl Austin Hall | Kidnapping | Federal government | 1953 | Gas chamber | Fried chicken.[148] |
Donald Eugene Harding | Murder | Arizona | 1992 | Gas chamber | Fried eggs, bacon, toast, butter, honey and orange juice.[146] |
Edward Ernest Hartman | Murder | North Carolina | 2003 | Lethal injection | A Greek salad, linguini with white clam sauce, cheesecake with cherry topping, garlic bread, and Coca-Cola.[149] |
Bruno Richard Hauptmann | Lindbergh kidnapping and murder | New Jersey | 1936 | Electrocution | Celery, stuffed green olives, roast chicken, french fried potatoes, buttered peas, cherries, and a slice of white cake.[28] |
Bonnie Brown Heady | Kidnapping | Federal government | 1953 | Gas chamber | Fried chicken.[148] |
Gary Michael Heidnik | Murder | Pennsylvania | 1999 | Lethal injection | Two slices of cheese pizza and two cups of black coffee.[150] |
Brandon Hedrick | Murder | Virginia | 2006 | Electrocution | Pizza with cheese, bacon and hamburger meat; French fries with ketchup; bacon; chocolate cake and apple pie.[151] |
Warren Lee Hill Jr. | Murder | Georgia | 2015 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal and was offered the institutional meal tray, consisting of shepherd's pie, mashed potatoes, red beans, cabbage relish salad, cornbread, sugar cookies and fruit punch.[152] |
Daryl Holton | Murder | Tennessee | 2007 | Electrocution | Declined a special request, but ate the standard meal of the day consisting of riblets on a bun, mixed vegetables, baked beans, white cake with white icing and iced tea.[153] |
Mark Hopkinson | Proxy murder | Wyoming | 1992 | Lethal injection | Pizza, shared with his mother and other family members. He later asked for and received a fruit plate. |
Ralph Hudson | Murder | New Jersey | 1963 | Electrocution | Prime rib steak, ice cream and a cigar. |
Billy Ray Irick | Murder | Tennessee | 2018 | Lethal injection | A 'deluxe combo' meal consisting of a double bacon cheeseburger with mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomato and pickles, a large order of onion rings, a large Coca-Cola with a wedge of lime, and an extra-large strawberry-banana milkshake. |
Ernest Lee Johnson | Murder | Missouri | 2021 | Lethal injection | Two double bacon cheeseburgers, onion rings, two large strawberry milkshakes and a large pizza.[154] |
Shannon M. Johnson | Murder | Delaware | 2012 | Lethal injection | Chicken lo Mein, carrots, cake, wheat bread and margarine and iced tea.[155] |
Brandon Astor Jones | Murder | Georgia | 2016 | Lethal injection | Refused the option of choosing his last meal, so was given the standard meal on the menu that day of chicken and rice, rutabaga, seasoned turnip greens, dry white beans, cornbread, bread pudding and fruit punch.[107] |
Jack Harold Jones Jr. | Serial murder | Arkansas | 2017 | Lethal injection | Fried chicken, fried potato logs with tartar sauce, beef jerky bites, three candy bars, a chocolate milkshake and fruit punch.[156] |
Louis Jones Jr. | Murder | Federal government | 2003 | Lethal injection | Whole peaches, plums and nectarines.[157] |
John Joubert | Serial murder | Nebraska | 1996 | Electrocution | Cheese pizza with green pepper and onions, strawberry cheesecake, and Coca-Cola. |
Steven Timothy Judy | Mass murder | Indiana | 1981 | Electrocution | Prime rib, lobster tails, potatoes with sour cream, chef salad with French dressing and a dinner roll. He also requested four cans of beer but they were denied.[158] |
Barton Kay Kirkham | Robbery and murder | Utah | 1958 | Hanging | Pizzas and ice cream.[159] |
Thomas Knight | Murder | Florida | 2014 | Lethal injection | Sweet potato pie, coconut cake, banana nut bread, a quarter bottle of Sprite, two tablespoons of strawberries, butter-pecan ice cream, vanilla ice cream and Fritos corn chips.[160] |
Karl-Heinz LaGrand | Murder | Arizona | 1999 | Lethal injection | Two BLT sandwiches on white bread with mayonnaise, four fried eggs (over easy), a medium portion of hash browns, two breakfast rolls with strawberry jelly, half a pint of pineapple sherbet, a cup of coffee, a medium slice of German chocolate cake with coconut-caramel icing and a cup of milk.[161] |
Walter Bernhard LaGrand | Murder | Arizona | 1999 | Gas chamber | Six fried eggs (over easy), 16 strips of bacon, a large serving of hash browns, a pint of pineapple sherbet, a breakfast steak (well-done), a cup of ice, a can each of 7 Up, Dr Pepper, and Coca-Cola, hot sauce, a cup of coffee, two packs of sugar and four Rolaids.[161] |
Jeffrey Timothy Landrigan | Murder | Arizona | 2010 | Lethal injection | Steak, fried okra, french fries, strawberry shake and Dr Pepper.[146] |
Ledell Lee | Murdered his neighbor | Arkansas | 2017 | Lethal injection | Holy Communion.[162] |
Teresa Lewis | Proxy murder | Virginia | 2010 | Lethal injection | Two fried chicken breasts, sweet peas with butter, a Dr Pepper and apple pie for dessert.[163] |
Stanley Dewaine Lingar | Murder | Missouri | 2001 | Lethal injection | Corned beef sandwiches and french fries.[164] |
Clayton Derrell Lockett | Murder | Oklahoma | 2014 | Lethal injection | Chateaubriand steak, shrimp, a large baked potato and a Kentucky bourbon pecan pie. The meal was denied because it exceeded the $15 limit. He rejected a separate offer from the warden for a dinner from Western Sizzlin'.[165] |
Bobby Joe Long | Serial murder | Florida | 2019 | Lethal injection | Roast beef, bacon, french fries and soda.[166] |
William Earl Lynd | Murder | Georgia | 2008 | Lethal injection | Two pepper jack barbecue burgers with crispy onions, baked potatoes with sour cream, bacon and cheese, and a large strawberry milkshake.[167] |
Daryl Linnie Mack | Murder | Nevada | 2006 | Lethal injection | Fish fillet sandwich, french fries and a soft drink.[106] |
Ernest Martin | Murder | Ohio | 2003 | Lethal injection | A cheeseburger, french fries, apple pie and a Pepsi.[168] |
Dennis B. McGuire | Murder | Ohio | 2014 | Lethal injection | Roast beef, fried chicken, a bagel with cream cheese, fried potatoes with onions, potato salad, butter pecan ice cream and a bottle of Coca-Cola.[169] |
Duncan Peder McKenzie Jr. | Murder | Montana | 1995 | Lethal injection | Tenderloin steak (medium), french fries, a tossed salad, orange sherbet and whole milk.[170] |
Amber McLaughlin | Murder and rape | Missouri | 2023 | Lethal injection | A cheeseburger, french fries, a strawberry milkshake and peanut M&Ms. |
Harold I. McQueen Jr. | Murder | Kentucky | 1997 | Electrocution | Two cheesecakes, shared with his attorney. |
Timothy McVeigh | Domestic terrorism and mass murder | Federal government | 2001 | Lethal injection | Two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream.[171][172] |
Emeline Meaker | Murder | Vermont | 1883 | Hanging | Two boiled eggs, two slices of toast, a baked potato, a donut and a cup of coffee.[173] |
Carey Dean Moore | Murder | Nebraska | 2018 | Lethal injection | Pizza with bacon, beef, cheese and mushrooms, Pepsi, and strawberry cheesecake. |
Harry Charles Moore | Murder | Oregon | 1997 | Lethal injection | Two green apples, two red apples, a tray of fresh fruit and two 2-liter bottles of Coca-Cola. |
Richard Allen Moran | Murder | Nevada | 1996 | Lethal injection | Lasagna, chicken Parmesan, salad and ice cream.[106] |
Leon Moser | Murder | Pennsylvania | 1995 | Lethal injection | A large cheese pizza, cheese slices, cold cuts, pasta salad, iced cup cakes and a 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola. |
John Allen Muhammad | Murder | Virginia | 2009 | Lethal injection | Chicken and several cakes.[174] |
Eric Randall Nance | Murder | Arkansas | 2005 | Lethal injection | Two bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, two pints of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, and two bottles of Coca-Cola. |
Jay Wesley Neill | Mass murder | Oklahoma | 2002 | Lethal injection | A double cheeseburger, french fries, peach or cherry cobbler, a pint of vanilla ice cream and a large bottle of cranberry-grape juice.[175] |
John B. Nixon | Murder | Mississippi | 2005 | Lethal injection | A T-bone steak (well done), buttered asparagus spears, a baked potato with sour cream, peach pie, vanilla ice cream and sweet tea.[176] |
Steven Howard Oken | Murder spree | Maryland | 2004 | Lethal injection | A chicken patty with potatoes and gravy, green beans, marble cake, milk and fruit punch, the regular prison meal of the day.[177] |
Elijah Page | Murder | South Dakota | 2007 | Lethal injection | Steak (medium), jalapeño peppers with cream sauce, onion rings, a salad with cherry tomatoes, ham chunks, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and blue cheese and ranch dressing, coffee, lemon iced tea, and ice cream. |
Manuel Pardo Jr. | Serial murder | Florida | 2012 | Lethal injection | Rice, red beans, roasted pork, plantains, avocado, tomatoes, olive oil, pumpkin pie, egg nog, and Cuban Coffee.[178] |
Joseph Mitchell Parsons | Murder | Utah | 1999 | Lethal injection | Three Burger King Whoppers, two large orders of french fries, a chocolate shake, chocolate chip ice cream, and a package of grape Hubba Bubba bubblegum, to be shared with his brother and a cousin.[179] |
Ronald Ray Phillips | Murder and rape | Ohio | 2017 | Lethal injection | A large cheese, bell pepper and mushroom pizza; strawberry cheesecake, a piece of unleavened bread, a bottle of Pepsi and grape juice.[180] |
Michael Kent Poland | Murder | Arizona | 1999 | Lethal injection | Three Fried eggs, sunny side up; four slices of bacon; one order of hash brown potatoes; two slices of whole wheat toast, with two pats of real butter; two individual serving size boxes of Raisin Bran cereal; two cartons of milk; two cups of Tasters Choice coffee.[146] |
Gilbert Postelle | Murder | Oklahoma | 2022 | Lethal injection | 20 chicken nuggets with Ranch, BBQ and honey mustard dips, three large servings of French fries with ketchup, a crispy chicken sandwich, a regular chicken sandwich, a large cola and a caramel frappe.[181] |
Dalton Prejean | Murder | Louisiana | 1990 | Electrocution | A seafood platter and an orange soda.[182] |
Marion Albert Pruett | Murder spree | Arkansas | 1999 | Lethal injection | A stuffed crust pizza from Pizza Hut, four Burger King Whoppers, a large order of french fries, three two-liter bottles of Pepsi, a bucket of ice, a bottle of ketchup, salt, fried eggplant, fried squash, fried okra, and a pecan pie. In an interview prior to his execution date, he said he was going to share his last meal with another inmate who was going to be executed the same day. He went on to say he originally wanted to have a roast duck for his last meal, but declined because he felt the prison would likely not prepare it. |
Gerhard Puff | Murder | Federal government | 1954 | Electrocution | Fried chicken, sweet potatoes, asparagus tips, brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, salad and strawberry shortcake.[183] |
Willie James Pye | Murder | Georgia | 2024 | Lethal injection | Two chicken sandwiches, two cheeseburgers, french fries, two bags of plain potato chips, and two lemon-lime sodas.[184] |
Ricky Ray Rector | Murder | Arkansas | 1992 | Lethal injection | Steak, fried chicken, cherry Kool-Aid, and a pecan pie. Rector, rendered mentally incapacitated by his suicide attempt after murdering a police officer, said that he did not eat the pie because he was "saving it for later".[185] |
Paul Ezra Rhoades | Murder spree | Idaho | 2011 | Lethal injection | Hot dogs, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, baked beans, veggie sticks, ranch dressing, fruit with gelatin and strawberry ice cream cups.[186] |
Christina Marie Riggs | Murder | Arkansas | 2000 | Lethal injection | Supreme pizza, salad, fried okra, cherry limeade and strawberry shortcake.[115] |
James Terry Roach | Murder and rape | South Carolina | 1986 | Electrocution | Fried shrimp, hush puppies, French Fries, tossed salad, cherry cheesecake and a soft drink.[187] |
Danny Rolling | Serial murder | Florida | 2006 | Lethal injection | Lobster tail, butterfly shrimp, baked potato, strawberry cheesecake, and sweet tea.[188] |
Michael Bruce Ross | Serial murder | Connecticut | 2005 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but dined on the regular prison meal of the day: turkey à la king over rice, mixed vegetables, white bread, fruit, and a beverage.[189] |
Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti | Murder (case still open) | Massachusetts | 1927 | Electrocution | Soup, meat, toast and tea. |
Mark Dean Schwab | Murder | Florida | 2008 | Lethal injection | Fried eggs (over easy), bacon, sausage links, hash browns, buttered toast, and a quart of chocolate milk. |
Sean Richard Sellers | Serial murder | Oklahoma | 1999 | Lethal Injection | Eggrolls, sweet and sour shrimp, and batter-fried shrimp. |
Joseph Carl Shaw | Murder | South Carolina | 1985 | Electrocution | Pizza and tossed salad.[190] |
Perry Edward Smith and Richard Eugene Hickock | Mass murder | Kansas | 1965 | Hanging | Shrimp, french fries, garlic bread, ice cream, and strawberries with whipped cream.[28] |
Ruth Snyder | Murder | New York | 1928 | Electrocution | Chicken Parmesan with alfredo pasta, ice cream, two milkshakes, and a 12-pack of grape soda.[19] |
John Spenkelink | Murder | Florida | 1979 | Electrocution | A flask of Jack Daniel's, shared with the prison superintendent.[191] |
Frank G. Spisak | Murder | Ohio | 2011 | Lethal injection | Spaghetti with tomato sauce, a salad, chocolate cake and coffee.[192] |
Gerald Eugene Stano | Serial murder | Florida | 1998 | Electrocution | Delmonico steak, a baked potato with sour cream and bacon bits, tossed salad with Roquefort dressing, buttered lima beans, a half gallon of mint chocolate-chip ice cream, and a 2-litre bottle of Pepsi.[193] |
Charles Starkweather | Murder | Nebraska | 1959 | Electrocution | Declined the usual steak dinner, asking for assorted cold cuts instead. |
Brian David Steckel | Murder | Delaware | 2005 | Lethal injection | Cheesesteak, coleslaw, and a Pepsi-Cola. |
Raymond Lee Stewart | Murder spree | Illinois | 1996 | Lethal injection | Fried perch, potato salad, coleslaw, canned peaches and fruit juice.[194][195] |
Robert Austin Sullivan | Murder | Florida | 1983 | Electrocution | Steak, french fries, milk, and fresh strawberries.[196] |
Nicholas Todd Sutton | Serial murder | Tennessee | 2020 | Electrocution | Fried pork chops, mashed potatoes with gravy and peach pie with vanilla ice cream.[197] |
Joseph Taborsky | Murder spree | Connecticut | 1960 | Electrocution | Banana split, cherry soda, coffee with cream and sugar, and a pack of cigarettes. |
John Albert Taylor | Murder | Utah | 1996 | Firing squad | Antacid medicine, a cigarette, and pizzas "with everything."[198] |
William Paul Thompson | Serial murder | Nevada | 1989 | Lethal injection | Four double bacon cheeseburgers, french fries and a large Coke.[106] |
Robert Van Hook | Murder | Ohio | 2018 | Lethal injection | Double cheeseburgers, fries, strawberry cheesecake with whipped cream, a vanilla milkshake and grapefruit juice.[199] |
Charles Walker | Murder | Illinois | 1990 | Lethal injection | Fried wild rabbit, biscuits, and blackberry pie.[200] |
Keith Eugene Wells | Murder | Idaho | 1994 | Lethal injection | Whole lobster, well-done prime rib, fried potatoes, salad with tomatoes and onions and Italian dressing, two pints of ice cream, a half gallon of milk, a two-liter bottle of soda and two apple fritters.[201] |
Jerry White | Murder | Florida | 1995 | Electrocution | Grilled round steak, French fried potatoes, coleslaw, toast, and orange juice.[202] |
Dobie Gillis Williams | Murder | Louisiana | 1999 | Lethal injection | Twelve chocolate bars and some ice cream. |
Kenneth Dewayne Williams | Serial murder | Arkansas | 2017 | Lethal injection | Two pieces of fried chicken with a side of sweet rice, BBQ pinto beans, a slice of bread, a peanut butter cookie, and a cinnamon roll.[203] |
Marion Wilson Jr. | Murder | Georgia | 2019 | Lethal injection | One medium thin-crust pizza with everything, 20 buffalo wings, one pint of butter pecan ice cream, some apple pie and grape juice.[204] |
Hastings Arthur Wise | Mass murder | South Carolina | 2005 | Lethal injection | Lobster tail, french fries, coleslaw, banana pudding and milk.[205] |
Elijah Green Wood | Murder | Arkansas | 1913 | Hanging | Chicken, ice cream, cake, cantaloupe and a bottle of beer.[206] |
Joseph Rudolph Wood III | Murder | Arizona | 2014 | Lethal injection | Two cookies.[146] |
Philip Ray Workman | Murder | Tennessee | 2007 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal for himself, but he asked for a large vegetarian pizza to be given to a homeless person in Nashville, Tennessee. This request was denied by the prison, but carried out by others across the country.[207][208] |
Douglas Franklin Wright | Serial murder | Oregon | 1996 | Lethal injection | One honey bun. |
Matthew Eric Wrinkles | Murder | Indiana | 2009 | Lethal injection | Prime rib, a "loaded" baked potato, pork chops with steak fries, rolls and two salads with ranch dressing.[209] |
Aileen Wuornos | Serial murder | Florida | 2002 | Lethal injection | Declined a special meal, but had a hamburger and other snack food from the prison's canteen. Later, she drank a cup of coffee.[119] |
Edmund Zagorski | Murder | Tennessee | 2018 | Electrocution | Pickled ham hocks and pig tails. |
Keith Zettlemoyer | Murder | Pennsylvania | 1995 | Lethal injection | Two cheeseburgers, fries, chocolate pudding and chocolate milk.[210] |
William G. Zuern Jr. | Murder | Ohio | 2004 | Lethal injection | Mashed potatoes and gravy, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, corn, garlic bread, chocolate milk, and cherry cheesecake. |