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here’s no one on Death Row who you would like to meet in a dark alley.

They’re serial killers, murderers, rapists, and perpetrators of the most heinous crimes known to human kind. Yet many of them had a bizarre sense of humor as they faced their executions. These words were collected from various reliable sources, like the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, that keep some very strange records.

Thomas J. Grasso – executed by lethal injection, March 20, 1995, Oklahoma. Grasso was convicted of two murders. He strangled an 87-year old woman with her own Christmas tree lights in Oklahoma and then fled to Staten Island, New York. A few weeks later, Grasso killed an 81-year old man from the rooming house where they both lived. Grasso’s last words were delivered with a smile:    I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this . . .

George Appel – executed in the electric chair, 1928, New York. Appel was sentenced to death for the murder of a New York City Police Officer. He took it very lightly. His last words have become legendary to people who follow those things:              Well gentlemen, you’re about to see a baked Appel.

Johnny Garrett – executed by lethal injection, February 11, 1992, Texas. Garrett was 17 years old when he raped, stabbed, and strangled to death a 76-year old Roman Catholic Nun. Garrett claimed he was innocent to the end, defying the world:     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.

George Harris – executed by lethal injection, September 13, 2000, Missouri.  Harris killed Stanley “Hank” Willoughby with a .41 caliber Blackhawk magnum revolver. Willoughby was shot in the face and neck. The motivation? Willoughby refused to return Harris’ stash of guns. Harris’ last words said it all:     Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney.

James French – executed in the electric chair, 1966, Oklahoma. French was in prison for murdering a motorist who picked him up as a friendly hitchhiker. The “story” claims that French was afraid to commit suicide so he found another way to die – he murdered his cellmate. French had five children – Kayla, Taylan, Jayden, Jaycee, and Jaylan. His last words were delivered to the press:     How’s this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? French fries.

Robert Charles Comer – executed by lethal injection, May 23, 2007, Arizona. Comer and his girlfriend were camping out. Larry Pritchard was in the neighboring campsite. They invited Pritchard to join them for dinner and drinks. Later that night, Comer shot Pritchard, stabbed him in the neck, and hid his body. Comer was a lifetime criminal – with additional convictions in rape, kidnapping, and sexual assault. The press reported that he met his death with a steady gaze and defiant smile, never flinching. His last words:     Go Raiders.

Jimmy L. Glass – executed in the electric chair, 1987, Louisiana. It was Christmas Eve, 1982, when Jimmy Glass and Jimmy Wingo escaped from prison. While on the run they entered a home in a rural area and shot the Browns – a couple in their early 50s. Jimmy swaggered to his execution, smiled, and made his final statement:     I’d rather be fishing.

Vincent Gutierrez – executed by lethal injection, March 28, 2007, Texas. Vincent was only 18 years old when he stole a car belonging to a U.S. Air Force Captain, Jose Cobo. Gutierrez kidnapped him, and when Cobo tried to escape, shot and killed him with a handgun. Gutierrez dumped the body on the side of the highway.  His last words were said laughing, with a big smile: My brother, where’s my stunt double when you need one?

 

Below is “Old Sparky” – the nickname for electric chairs. This one was in the Tucker Unit, Arkansas and was used for 104 executions between 1926-1948.

Old_Sparky

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