Final statement

When a criminal is convicted and sentenced to capital punishment, the criminal can make a final statement, or his "last words", before being executed. Much of the time, the last word is an apology to family, friends, or God. Sometimes though, a final statement includes words of hatred, disgust, or defiance. In the era of public hangings, the gallows speech was often an opportunity to harangue the authorities and seek the sympathy of the crowd; some political criminals enhanced their status as martyrs with memorable gallows speeches.

Examples

• William Tyndale, before being strangled and burned at the stake: "Lord, open the King of England's eyes."

• Ted Bundy: "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to send my love and regards to my family and friends."

• Robert Erskine Childers: (Facing a firing squad) "Take a step or two closer, lads. It will be easier that way."

• Kenneth Edward Gentry: "I'd like to thank the Lord for the past fourteen years [on death row] to grow as a man and mature enough to accept what's happening here tonight. To my family, I'm happy. I'm going home to Jesus."

• Robert Alton Harris: "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the grim reaper." (This is a line taken from the 1991 film Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey.)

• Daryl Holton: "Two words, I do."

• Timothy McVeigh: Convicted of the Oklahoma City bombing, McVeigh chose "Invictus" (Latin for "unconquered"), an 1875 poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley, as the final statement prior to his execution.

• Ronald Clark O'Bryan: "What is about to transpire in a few moments is wrong! However, we as human beings do make mistakes and errors. This execution is one of those wrongs yet doesn’t mean our whole system of justice is wrong. Therefore, I would forgive all who have taken part in any way in my death. Also, to anyone I have offended in any way during my 39 years, I pray and ask your forgiveness, just as I forgive anyone who offended me in any way. And I pray and ask God’s forgiveness for all of us respectively as human beings. To my loved ones, I extend my undying love. To those close to me, know in your hearts I love you one and all. God bless you all and may God’s best blessings be always yours. Ronald C. O’Bryan. P.S. During my time here, I have been treated well by all T.D.C. personnel."

• John Thanos: "Adios."

• John Wayne Gacy: "Kiss my ass."

• Ned Kelly: "Such is life."

• James W. Rodgers: "I done told you my last request ... a bulletproof vest."

External links

• "Executed Offenders". Texas Department of Criminal Justice. http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/executedoffenders.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-04.  with links to final statements
• http://www.burkfoster.com/AnyLastWords.htm