25 Memorable Last Words From Condemned Criminals

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Society shows a particular fascination with evil men. Even our beloved superheroes are showing signs of developing into dark, brooding characters with ambiguous histories and a trace of wickedness, reflecting reality. To some extent, we can all find a connection with this “dark side”. It’s a universal experience to have been disciplined, usually in the form of being grounded or having a spat with a sibling, but sometimes this goes beyond the norm. It’s commonly accepted that people can cross lines. In extreme cases, this can involve murder when we consider the most dreadful offenses. Interestingly, you can expect today’s list to be populated mostly by individuals who were sentenced to death for committing murder. That’s where our list fits in – we as a society have a morbid curiosity for all things daunting and bleak. Did you know that a vast number of people glorify mass murderers and shower them with fan letters the same way teenage girls adore Justin Bieber? It’s a disturbing reality. Our society is twisted in this respect. We abhor what they have done, but we are captivated by their life stories. Why did they turn out the way they did? The answer eludes us, but perhaps their words can offer a hint. Here are 25 notable last words from criminals sentenced to death.

Featured Image: wikipedia

25

“What about them Cowboys?” - William Prince Davis, executed by lethal injection in 1999 for murder

“What about them Cowboys?” - William Prince Davis, executed by lethal injection in 1999 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
24

“I’d like to say sorry to the victim’s family. I know that’s not enough… Where am I? To my lawyers, thank you. Red Robin, yum. I’m done. I love you.” - Daniel Wayne Cook, executed by lethal injection in 2012 for rape and murder

“I’d like to say sorry to the victim’s family. I know that’s not enough… Where am I? To my lawyers, thank you. Red Robin, yum. I’m done. I love you.” - Daniel Wayne Cook, executed by lethal injection in 2012 for rape and murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
23

“When I was a kid raising hell everyone told me I’d end up on the gallows, so I thought I’d fool them. Also, there’s an old saying I like: Live by the sword and die by the sword.” - John Deering, executed by electric chair in 1938 for murder

“When I was a kid raising hell everyone told me I’d end up on the gallows, so I thought I’d fool them. Also, there’s an old saying I like: Live by the sword and die by the sword.” - John Deering, executed by electric chair in 1938 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image; wikipedia
22

“Say good-bye to my brother and daughter.” - Omer R. Woods, executed by firing squad in 1924 for murder

“Say good-bye to my brother and daughter.” - Omer R. Woods, executed by firing squad in 1924 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

“I’m ready to go. No one will miss me. My life has been worthless.” - Ray Gardner, executed by firing squad in 1951 for murder

“I’m ready to go. No one will miss me. My life has been worthless.” - Ray Gardner, executed by firing squad in 1951 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

“Well folks, you’ll soon see a baked apple.” - George Appel, executed by electric chair for murder

“Well folks, you’ll soon see a baked apple.” - George Appel, executed by electric chair for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

“There is no man that is free from all evil, nor any man that is so evil to be worth nothing.” - David Castillo, executed by lethal injection in 1998 for murder

“There is no man that is free from all evil, nor any man that is so evil to be worth nothing.” - David Castillo, executed by lethal injection in 1998 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
18

“A life for a life, let it be done and justice will be served.” - Herman Ashworth, executed by lethal injection in 2005 for murder

“A life for a life, let it be done and justice will be served.” - Herman Ashworth, executed by lethal injection in 2005 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
17

“I don’t care what you do to me. I am not afraid to die. I have nothing on my conscience. I never killed any one.” - Anna Antonio, executed by electric chair in 1934 for murder

“I don’t care what you do to me. I am not afraid to die. I have nothing on my conscience. I never killed any one.” - Anna Antonio, executed by electric chair in 1934 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
16

“Let’s do it!” - Gary Gilmore, executed by firing squad in 1977 for murder

“Let’s do it!” - Gary Gilmore, executed by firing squad in 1977 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
15

“You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper.” - Robert Alton Harris, executed by gas chamber in 1992 for murder

“You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everybody dances with the grim reaper.” - Robert Alton Harris, executed by gas chamber in 1992 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
14

“There’s a chemical taste in my mouth. I’m going. I’m going. I’m going.” - Kenneth Hogan, executed by lethal injection in 2014 for murder

“There’s a chemical taste in my mouth. I’m going. I’m going. I’m going.” - Kenneth Hogan, executed by lethal injection in 2014 for muderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
13

“Well, I hope Percy ain’t going to wet the sponge. Put me on the highway to Jackson and call my Irish buddies. Pog mo thoin. God bless.” - Robert Gleason Jr, executed by electric chair in 2013 for murder

“Well, I hope Percy ain’t going to wet the sponge. Put me on the highway to Jackson and call my Irish buddies. Pog mo thoin. God bless.” - Robert Gleason Jr, executed by electric chair in 2013 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
12

“I love my family. Potato, potato, potato.” - Robert Charles Towery, executed by lethal injection in 2012 for murder

“I love my family. Potato, potato, potato.” - Robert Charles Towery, executed by lethal injection in 2012 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
11

“I would like to remind my children once again I love them. Everything is OK. I love you all, and I love my children. I am at peace. It does kind of burn. Goodbye, goodbye.” - Jose Villegas, executed by lethal injection in 2014 for murder

“I would like to remind my children once again I love them. Everything is OK. I love you all, and I love my children. I am at peace. It does kind of burn. Goodbye, goodbye.” - Jose Villegas, executed by lethal injection in 2014 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
10

“Jesus, remember the sinners.” - John Marek, executed by lethal injection in 2009 for murder

“Jesus, remember the sinners.” - John Marek, executed by lethal injection in 2009 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
9

“How’s this for your headline? ‘French Fries'”.- James French, executed by electric chair in 1966 for murder

“How’s this for your headline? ‘French Fries'”.- James French, executed by electric chair in 1966 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

“I’m really deep down in my heart sorry it happened. I wish this would bring her back. I want you to know that I’m very sorry this ever happened. I knew it was wrong but it was alcohol, despair and temper that caused it. That’s it.” - Gerald James Holland, executed by lethal injection in 2010 for murder

“I’m really deep down in my heart sorry it happened. I wish this would bring her back. I want you to know that I’m very sorry this ever happened. I knew it was wrong but it was alcohol, despair and temper that caused it. That’s it.” - Gerald James Holland, executed by lethal injection in 2010 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
7

“I think that governor’s phone is broke. He hadn’t called yet.” - Jeffrey Matthews, executed by lethal injection in 2011 for murder

“I think that governor’s phone is broke. He hadn’t called yet.” - Jeffrey Matthews, executed by lethal injection in 2011 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
6

“I have no words.” - Marvallous Keene, executed by lethal injection in 2009 for murder

“I have no words.” - Marvallous Keene, executed by lethal injection in 2009 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
5

“It’s getting light. What’s holding those fellows up?” - Robert Walter Avery, executed by firing squad in 1943 for murder

“It’s getting light. What’s holding those fellows up?” - Robert Walter Avery, executed by firing squad in 1943 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

“Don’t worry about me. I’m okay. They’re not shooting me for deserting the United States Army – thousands of guys have done that. They’re shooting me for bread I stole when I was 12 years old.” - Eddie Slovik, executed by firing squad in 1945 for desertion

“Don’t worry about me. I’m okay. They’re not shooting me for deserting the United States Army – thousands of guys have done that. They’re shooting me for bread I stole when I was 12 years old.” - Eddie Slovik, executed by firing squad in 1945 for desertionSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

“I regret nothing.” - Thomas Arnold Kemp Jr., executed by lethal injection in 2012 for murder

“I regret nothing.” - Thomas Arnold Kemp Jr., executed by lethal injection in 2012 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
2

“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 mother ship and all. I’ll be back.” - Aileen Wournos, executed by lethal injection in 2002 for murder

“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 mother ship and all. I’ll be back.” - Aileen Wournos, executed by lethal injection in 2002 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia
1

“Hurrah for anarchy! This is the happiest moment of my life!” - George Engel, executed by hanging in 1887 for murder

“Hurrah for anarchy! This is the happiest moment of my life!” - George Engel, executed by hanging in 1887 for murderSource: wikipedia, Image: murderpedia