Death Row Inmates Will No Longer Get To Pick A Last Meal

bread and water is all they get all the time.

Why are we even having this debate… How about debating the morality of being the only nation in the Western World with a Capital Punishment statute.

If you refuse a man his last meal and then kill him, you are behaving the same way they are. The difference between our judicial system and a murderer should be compassion.

last meal should be the same as the rest of the inmates, their victims didn't get any special treatment…

You should be in control and limit the meal ordered. It was your stupidity to allow it and make others have to suffer for YOUR mistake. Give it back to the inmates….

if they didn't give any curtosy to their victim/s which they didn't we shouldn't show them any either. the last meal to them makes them feel privlendged to be on death row I saw give them a glass of water and a loaf of bread that's it. criminals on death row shouldn't get a meal even their last that I couldn't afford to give myself on my tax dollars.

No such privileges for those beasts !

It's absolutely right that the victims did not get such a privilege, why should the murderer? No last rites, no family visit for the victim. No 10 years of appeals before being put to death for not even committing a crime. I don't even think they should feed them a last meal. Why make the bed in a burning house?

I do not think they should get to choose a last meal. thing is though, this is there own dang fault. I agree with you Debbie Wilson, they should have been smart and limited it. I mean seriously how ignorant are you people? (people at the prison).

A person that is death row shouldn't even have a last meal right before being excuted because they don't deserve it. Also why should they get one for the fact that is just stupid and waste of food on person that is murderer they should suffer in their last hours before being excuted they didn't show any care when they were killing a person so why should they be treated better then their victim?

No, I don't think they should be given a choice. Their victims didn't get a choice, so why should they?

I am kinda torn… not everyone on death row maybe be guilty… so with in reason, yes I think they should get a last meal of their choice! And at some point we should be better than the man(woman) being executed.

NO I don't believe they should have last meal orderd by them serve what everyone else gets the did the crime they do there time and if it is having there life taken as they took someone elses so be it.no special treatments I live and work in the real world and how I would love to be able to afford to cook my favorite meal.

I agree w Barbara , its their own fault they are going to die, no one made them commit the crime for which they are being punished. They did not give their victims any special concideration before stealing away their precious life, so they should get none in return. And the morality of capital punishment? Go read your BIBLE chick! An eye for an eye.

I don't think they deserve anything special just because they're dying. Do you honestly think they ask their victims what their last wishes were before they murdered them? I highly doubt it…..they should be thankful they're being fed at all. I DON'T commit crimes and I don't even eat like that! And as for the morality of having a capital punishment statute? Personally, I don't think we execute enough murderers…….we are way too lenient on criminals these days. If there were more severe punishments for criminals, maybe that would set the path and our number of prisoners across the country wouldn't be so RIDICULOUSLY HIGH.

I really don't believe in capital punishment, but I also don't believe in the lavish way we run our prisons. Take away all their extras like TV, radios, computers, etc… Take away their social time, sports, weight rooms etc.. they should be housed alone without anyone to buddy with…,and give them the bare essentials to substain life. If this would happen we would rapidly see a decline in crime!

You just can't be nice to some people.

They all should be killed in the same way they killed another.. treat those the way you would like to be treated.. well they did it..

Why are we so barbaric to have a death penalty? We should have penal-work colonies where the "criminal" becomes a working resource instead of a drain of resources. That way, they work to eat and live. No work? No eat. No bed. No other consumables. Death row teaches no man or woman anything. At this point, their life is over and there is nothing to learn or earn. Killing someone, regardless of their crime, teaches no lesson. At one point, public executions educated the public on the penalty of transgressions–a "scared straight" lesson–so to speak. The fear of death no longer has that psychological hold on us. Furthermore, that "eye for an eye," nonsense came from an ancient cultural ritual, still practiced in the eastern hemisphere and is well documented in questionable religious books, including The Bible. It is time to abolish religion, the death penalty and establish logical, sane rehabilitation practices, such as penal colonies. Not everyone may agree, but it is passed time that we, as human beings evolve, instead of dissolve. Religion and archaic law is killing us, quicker than we can kill ourselves.

many years ago a man on death roll ended up being innocent there was no way of giving him back his life so I have to say if its the last thing they will have then why take it from them give them there last meal for you never know once again we may be killing someone innocent and why do we even have capital punishment haven't enough people died already is it bringing anyone back it just makes us as bad as the person committing the crime and what if we make another mistake and take someones life and then many years down the road once again find them to be innocent.

The argument here is that these criminals do not give their victims a last meal so we should do the same? Are we not supposed to be better than the criminal? Showing them no mercy or courtesy before we kill these criminals makes us no better than them. When we do that we are killing out of vengeance, not justice, and we are the murderers! When we show them the kindness they did not afford their victims, we show them justice.

As many have said before me and will say after me NO way should they get to pick their last meal! I think we need to go back to the time where there weren't all the priviledges inmates have today. I mean really, college degrees , picking what you want to eat for your last meal come on! I don't think they should know the day they will be put to death either! Did their victims know they were going to die or get to talk to their family or seek religious council? I don't think so!

Not everyone is truly guilty of the crime they are being put to death for. Which is why the death penalty has outran its course but its the law for now, So I think they should put a limit on the amount of food they can receive.

I totally agree with you, I BELIEVE in the death penalty, with advancements in science, the proof is in the DNA…even though I agree with your beliefs of more severe punishments for criminals…I just think the criminals would try to be more deceptive. I believe that if criminals knew ahead of time that they would get the death penalty for their crimes, they would commit less crimes. But they shouldn't be allowed to have so many APPEALS!! that Davis character killed that cop in 1989, but he APPEALED his conviction 4Xs, so he got to LIVE an extra 22 years. & who pays for his life in prison? We do, the tax-payers!!Look at Richard Ramirez…he's been on death row for what? 30 or 40 years?

NOT EVERY PERSON ON DEATH ROW IS GUILTY, BUT I DO AGREE THEY SHOULD GET THE SAME MEAL AS ALL THE OTHER INMATES.

They could choose what they wanted for dinner every night if they didn't get themselves on death row in the first place. They did that to themselves, No way should they get a choice in the matter.

they should get chit..nothing special, whether guilty or not has nothing to do with it…they got exactly what they have coming, a meal that every other inmate gets..they are not special…they deserve chit

Stupid

What's the point of ordering so much food and then not eating it? Was he expecting to dole it out to the other death row inmates? These people shouldn't get spit for a last meal especially the guy that dragged a man to death behind his pickup truck for the pleasure of killing him because he was black.
Goodbye you assclown! Have a great life in hell.

The thing is … it's already been proven, over and over and over again, that capital punishment has no deterrent effect. The problem is that, when the murderers commit their crimes, it does not even cross their minds that they will be caught. As long as that remains true, nothing will deter them.

Personally, I don't think that I could eat if I was about to be killed.

Then we will all be blind and toothless, right Jessica?

Jesus said, "You have heard it said, 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' but I SAY unto you, Do not resist the evildoer, rather, if he smites you on your left cheek, turn to him your right cheek as well."

I have often wondered who has actually *read* scripture. I am not a Christian, BTW.

Interestingly enough America is extremely lienient when it comes to Death Sentences. Outside of this Country, People will loose hands for Robbery, an ear, be put in what we consider Squalid Stone cells with a Pot and No electric or running water. Our Prisioners get better treatment than the Homeless or some of our senior's do here. Capitol Punishment? Ha Comitt a Murder and get shot outside of the US.

To the person who said that capital punishment has not prevented crime: I would like to see evidence of a criminal who has been executed coming back from the dead and commit another crime! It may not prevent crime by those assholes still out on the streets, but the one put to death is never going to be able to hurt anyone else!

I say give them their last request. why not? One never knows what is in a mans heart. Christs blood atoned forALL of our sins.

it is not a deterant it is revenge. retribution if you prefer but I think of it as revenge. and it costs us more to put a man on death row than to just put him in prison for life. so let's save some bucks and have a more civilized attitude while we are at it.

ROFLMAO Put your bleeding hearts where they belong :: http://www.forthelost.org/ or here http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US :: These people are found guilty MULTIPLE TIMES ARE YOU KIDDING? They get more chances at a re trial then the average person, BECAUSE their crime was so horrible. On those web sites are the forgotten victims… you want to bemoan killing the guilty… LOOK AT THE FACES OF THE MURDERED and you tell THEM to treat the person who took their life with loving kindness… especially the un remorseful we spend way too much money on them as it is… should have been over with the cost of a bullet if you ask me.. but then yoiu didn't right…. when it's YOUR FAMILY that suffers such a sudden and violent loss, when they find YOUR child raped burned tied to a table and beaten to insanity and then video taped as they are slowly strangled, then to find out this sick f%& put your baby's torture and death ON THE INTERNET… nope shoot them and charge the cost of the bullet to their family.

@Brian Marasca but why should we let them live? let alone pick out what their last meal should be?murders may commit crimes…so we should allow them out in society? So, we put them in prison, who pays for their meals? who pays the guards saleries? the tax-peyers!! wouldn't it be easier to get rid of them? w/out appeals?

if they are found guilty over and over for 10+ years I have little doubt of guilt… I'm sure some one will wave one now at us saying "oh look at this guy" but anyone jailed in the last decade especially its not likely they are innocent.

Mary Keefe yeah lets hang em all… what if that person is not was your brother or sister or mother or father. Just saying, there are those on death row that maybe be innocent, there have been before ya know. I don't protest capital punishment nor do I accept it, and I don't think prison should be a nice place to be, but I assure you there are [people there that are innocent. You know it too!!!

@Terri Jones, no, I wouldn't be blind or toothless b/c I would NEVER commit a crime!!

Carl Slocum Third World Countries,

Only if they offered their murder victims the same courtesy! Of course I'm being facetious~ the fact that this is even a debate is ridiculous.

To the bleeding hearts: If we don't put them to death what do we do with them? We cant afford to keep them in prison for years. How about we send them to you? Just make sure they don't kill anybody else.

Transcribe It Quick, LLC …not one that would cause me to be on 'death-row' & 'no' I wasn't raised a Christian, there is no such thing as perfection therefore…there isn't a PERFECT Christian

you cant eat before giving birth why the hell would we give a mman who's going to die food? so the person behind them gets to clean it up when alot of the puke or " loose fluids"… so stupid. this country is so ass backwards sometimes. how about that homeless man on the street who is just down on his luck gets a choice at the best meal ever, seems how would actually deserve it!

I don't believe for one second that people on death row should get any special privilages. they are there for some horrible reason and to be honest, they should be treated the same as everyone else..

Brian Marasca – It is a deterant because each & every one executed never kills again.

Brian Marasca ,we certainly don't have to worry abt the one that is put to death,they should not be housed & fed for years,make it quick & final.

I wouldn't want to go to prison. Period. But I would especially not want to go to prison in any country south of us. Their prisons are torture and even if you didn't deserve death, you'd beg for it there.

Sheena Kittle-Baniaga Karr ….I don't know where you get your facts Sheena, but convictions are overturned every day in this nation of ours.

Brian Marasca …me too especially knowing that my body is going to release its waste upon death. I think i would actually fast for a number of days before……

Hell no!

Yes Brian, it is much quoted, but little read. Unfortunately like all written word, its also open to subjective interpretation. I have had death penalty proponents quote me how God order Moses to arm the Levi's and set them loose on the worshipers of the golden calf, slaying three thousand, as a mandate for the death penalty too.

…A friend of mine a British national, was absolutely stunned to see Americans cheering at the GOP debate a few weeks ago, when it was mentioned that Gov. Perry had signed 234 death warrants. The one question she put to me was …."Where are your values?" Don't think for one moment that we who oppose Capital Punishment, have no deep abiding sorrow in our hearts for the victims. Such a statement is an outright lie. If you must satisfy your blood lust, I offer you the words Messalina, wife of Claudius and Empress of Rome…" It is foolish to kill one's enemies, for once dead they are beyond pain…."

Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom – People are convicted of crimes they didn't commit all the time. Look at all the people sent to Death Row for years that were later found innocent by DNA evidence. You at any time could be one of those innocent people found guilty of a crime that you didn't commit and sent to prison. ANYONE could be.

What is funny/ironic here is that at the bottom of this guy's picture there is an add for the Helman's Chicken Challenge.How much can we read into that?

Brian Marasca …ok….then lets go with that line of thinking if it's true. Then WHY would we want these loose evil destructive machines to EVER get a chance to go back into society??? If they have 'no thought' to what they are doing when killing someone the FIRST time around….why would you not want to STOP their destructive behavior and put them to death when it was definitive that they committed murder in the first place? Why give them a sentence that RISKS the chance that some rogue judge would let them out, only to do the SAME thing again because of their UNCONSCIOUS MINDLESS behavior??!!!
What I HAVE witnessed time and time again, is that when someone LOSES a loved one to a blatant murderer…they change their mind about capitol punishment if they had 'leniency' beliefs before. Nothing is worse then to lose a life to someone who doesn't think it's precious. Keeping them around gives them license to do it again.
And equally, ESPECIALLY if someone molests, rapes and harms a child? Castration. Period. If 'the chair' doesn't deter them in thought….maybe removing their brain will.

There are innocent children starving in this world & yet convicted murderers get to choose their last meal? I know I'm not the only one that has a problem with that concept.

This is what it says Jessica Burgess: Romans 12:17 Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” 20 But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” 21 Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.

Lissette Fabrey they may be beyond pain but they can no longer harm anybody else.

But I don't think they should get anything special…..

& Say we execute convicted murderers. You say it isn't moral? Was it moral when they took another human being's life?

Myra Kotrla: I agree that people are going to continue to murder people. Having a stricter death penalty probably wouldn't be effective alone in preventing murder. But what if you had a child that was raped, tortured, murdered and dumped in the woods? How is that civilized? If you want to be treated civilly, then you shouldn't kill people. I would rather spend the money to put them down and make an example.

{ off – topic…but } Isn't it sad that I know the names of the serial killers [Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgeway, Richard Ramirez to name a few] but NONE of the VICTIMS names?

Carl Slocum I agree in every thing u said on here…I think all Prisons should be run exactly like JOE IN ARIZONA.. No computers, no Tv's, just living in a TENT ON A COT.. There In Prison for a reason, not a big party…why should they have rights most people dont even have ?? with Joe, they certainly wouldnt be running the prisions thats for sure…I would rather see Prisoners have to live each day working, and remembering each and every day what they did…not put to death, thats to easy for them…

Sheena Kittle-Baniaga Karr Kinda hard to get new evidence when you are in jail. I don't think it is too much to ask for a man(women) to have a reasonable last meal…REASONABLE!!

I agree there should be no capital punishment as we know it today. However, although the Bible speaks of "an eye for an eye" back then the judges were largely under divine inspiration. Under their laws, there were certain procedures outlined in order to determine whether or not one was innocent, again, it was under divine direction that the VERDICT was arrived at. It was not simply up to imperfect man in his own right. (I am referring to the laws by which the nation of Israel was governed).

I like your comments and agree with you.

and to keep them alive at OUR COST is a national SHAME!!!!

I think its a waste of time and money to give these people a special last meal for the exact reason above. I say go feed one needy family (because what he ordered was enough to do so) and give back to the community, making something positive come out of taking another human beings life (albeit a nasty human being life).

and THAT folks is just one reason why we LEFT Briton….

Crow- Haven Your the idiot fuck heads-no ned to make such remrks. This is for people to voice theiropinion.n't help it if you are not adult enough to accept them.

Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom: I absolutely agree with you. Put them to good use to better the world, then get rid of them. Some people commit crimes to get back into prison because its so much easier than facing thereal world. We wonder why our countries broke… stupid policies such as these.

Susan Shontelle I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I hope you are never in the position of having someone give you no mercy. And I am entitled to my opinion. It costs 2-3 times more to execute someone that it does to put them in prison for the rest of their lives. You've already wasted all that money, but you think its messed up to give them a free meal? I am not the messed up one here.

Susan Shontelle I can tell you are an angry person who gives no quarter to those who make mistakes, so apparently you make no mistakes? You are right I do not know you or your life, but you seem to feel that you are the only one who should be allowed an opinion and everyone who disagrees with you is "messed up". Is that how liberal is defined in Vermont? And just for your information, Vermont does not have even have the death penalty any more. The last execution there was in 1954 and the death penalty was abolished there in 1964.

Susan Shontelle …..you're exactly right! Only thing we have to pay for when we execute them is the electricity it takes to FRY their sorry asses. No more meals, no more bedding to clean, no more prison uniforms to keep clean, no more free health care for them…..and there's no chance of them re-committing another crime. Deter them by killing them and getting rid of them.

Another thing if would stop all last meals for people about to be excuted think about all the money going to that food that could use for like the Military, Medicare, Medicade, Space Program, Police, Fire Fighters, road repairs things that are more important that are here always because person on death row are going to die so why should they be treated so nice then helping things in the USA that will be around for many years. So just think of all that money wasted and that is why the USA has to cut back on things that really matter. That is reason why texas is the best state they care about those things and put people on death row in the express line.

Susan Shontelle Thanks for your permission but I am not protesting the death penalty, just the fact that, while we will spend millions of dollars killing someone, we are arguing over spending $50-$60 on a last meal.

Brian Marasca It's probably true that capital punishment has no deterant effect on people committing murder, but it would sure keep them from committing it again! I know however there are some on death row who shouldn't be, that is why I don't believe in capital punishment. But the way our system works you are more likely to die from old age then execution! For whatever the reasons I don't believe we should coddle prisoners either. If the coddling would stop then you would see a deterant in crime! I'd bet my last tax dollar on it!

Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom never say never…you would be amazed at some of the stupid laws that are still on the books…just a couple of weeks ago in this town a boy was fined $135 for grabbing the basket ball ring while playing basketball in the park.

Sheena Kittle-Baniaga Karr
does it really matter, they have entered the prison system, and they should get what they have coming, and so long as we feed them a MEAL. we have done our job, and their "rights" have not been violated. I mean really I slaughtered an entire family (Example) or not…but I am wanting a t-bone garlic potatoes and corn on the cob, with fried ice-creame..give me a break.they are prison for a reason..did these people get a last meal, before they were raped, cut to pieces, dismembered, tortured….I don't t hink so..

Brian Marasca
and thats why there are consequences for being stupid. They'll have plenty of time to think about it afterwards huh….

I don't believe in the death penalty!

Look at Casey Anthony for an example….this country is a joke …i would be terrified to be locked up in any other country…

I'm not against the death penalty, but i am against killing the innocent inmates..it does happen…

Just couldn't agree with you more!!!

Well guys you know what they say about opinions!!!! LOL To Each their own but there's no need to attack any one personally, Unless of course you are a deranged murder on death row!!!

If you cant do the time , dont do the crime. I refuse to feel sorry for someone that knowingly and purposely hurt, much less took the life of another human being. WE are ensured the right to LIFE , Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…and Im pretty sure that didnt come from the BIBLE!

Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom – REASONABLE DOUBT! When you have 7 witnesses taking back their witness accounts and saying they don't think he was the killer there is REASONABLE DOUBT! That man (Davis) should NOT have been put to death. As far as the legal system not being "perfect", when your putting someone to death you better be as damn close to 100% sure that they did it as you can be. In the Davis case they weren't. Also people need to stop using "The Bible" to excuse away everything. "Well The Bible says this, so it's ok.", BULLSHIT!!!

Mary Keefe Guilty or not I suppose!! Not really in favor of state sanctioned murder!! But the law is the law, I follow it. But, haing said that I am sure there are few in prison that did nothing wrong, and lots of crooks are running around free as bird…Just saying!!

Brian Marasca but when they are caught we can make sure they never repeat offend… just saying

Transcribe It Quick, LLC PLEASE DO!! it sucks typing one-handed, being partially paralyzed from a stroke…maybe if you do, someone will give YOU a death sentence!! No-where do I see you even SLIGHTLY mention the VICTIMS…oh, let's be concerned about the KILLER'S human rights?

Myra Kotrla save even more bucks if we just shoot them after their last and final appeal and charge the family for the frigging bullet… call it what ever… get them off the street and don't feed and clothes and house their sorry excuse for human flesh with my tax money.. I don't have a home gym, cable TV, or any of the other things these people have whined and complained and sued to get .. omg please…

Dora Strickland Graham I highly doubt that I'd be convicted of ANY crime, seeing as how 1) I've had a stroke, 2) I'm in a wheelchair 3) I have what is known as aphaysia – I sound like I'm drunk when I talk…people think I'm 'mentally' challenged/incapable. It is not in my nature to commit crimes, certainly not death. I can't even raise my right hand over my head, so I really doubt that I could bludgeon anyone.

they should not get a last meal, they should die hungry and alone. Reap what you sow jerk.. Either that or have to eat something disgusting,..

I woiuld see to it they either didn't get a meal or they get a pbj, and that is it. Did they give the person or persons a last meal before killing them? NOT! There should be no death row. IF they know for a fact, that the person is guilty, drop their ass where they stand! That's what they did to their victim(s).Why should taxpayers have to pay room and board for someone that has killed?

Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom, I bet you could pull a trigger if you wanted to.
Just playing Devil's advocate here!

I Think its pretty freaking sad that all of us adults cannot have a political debate, reguardless of the topic, with out turning into some petty childish argueement, Thank you Amy Collins for enlighting me on EXACTLY what the Scriptures said. and Transcribe It Quick, LLC , Why are you attacking Lisa Lesh Canham Lundstrom so personally? Eveyone is entilted to their own opinion, we don't attack you for your opinion….Chill out!

Hell no, why feed them anyway? They don't need it where their going.

to late i unfriended you and now you get BLOCKED

The ACA laws are very straight forward. 3 meals in a 24hr period. I think Texas should find a way to keep the illegals out then a dying man could have his last request.

Want to limit crime? Bring back the old days of punishment. Hang people for their crimes. When people start getting hung on main street and the city sees what their demise will be in the event they commit murder it will change how everyone acts.

Sounds good to me! Furthermore, if criminals have the right to a speedy trial I think that victims and their families should have the right to demand a speedy execution. Just saying!

Most of us will never choose our last meal because most of us won't know when we'll die. So, why should killers have that privilege ? Their victims, I'am sure did not get to choose their last meal either. Bread and water seems appropriate.