Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, has praised the project and called it, “A dangerous book…” This is a nonpolitical work, simply asking, “If these are the most reviled, outcast members of society—why does it remain a cultural value to record what they say?”
This is the history of capital punishment in America, told from the gallows, the chair, and the gurney.
Each day, we are posting excerpts from the book, plus outtakes, by date of execution. See below:
This weekin 1998
“As the ocean always returns to itself, love always returns to itself. So does consciousness, always returns to itself. And I do so with love on my lips. May God bless all mankind.”
— James Ronald Meanes, convicted of murder, lethal injection,Texas.
Executed December 15, 1998
Ohio welder Meanes and his accomplice Sandoval “Carlos” Santana shot the driver of an armored car as it stopped at a Houston department store. They stole $1.1 million and fled only to be caught an hour later. The Associated Press reported that “judicial oversight resulted in an additional seven years on death row for Meanes after prosecutors lost track of his case once a federal judge rejected an appeal in 1988.”
This week in 1896
“You never killed a gamer man in all your life than you will today.”
— Patrick Coughlin, convicted of murder, firing squad, Utah.
Executed December 15, 1896
Coughlin moved from Massachusetts to Utah with the construction of the Union Pacific railroad. Described as an angry child, hem had accumulated numerous charges by age twenty-one. Coughlin and an accomplice were convicted of killing two law officers. He was offered the choice between hanging and firing squad. Coughlin chose the latter.
This week in 1999
“Well, first, my people, you guys have heard everything I needed to say today. I hope I said the right things. I hope you heard me. And I hope you go beyond here and do what you need to do. Do the right thing. Strength in numbers. Look out for each other….Remember this, if all you know is hatred, if all you know is blood love, you’ll never be satisfied. For everybody out there that is like that and knows nothing but negative, kiss my proud white Irish ass. I’m ready warden, send me home.”
— Robert Atworth, convicted of robbery and murder, lethal injection,Texas.
Executed December 14, 1999
Atworth shot, stabbed, and robbed Thomas Carlson, then severed the victim’s right-hand little finger, where he’d worn a ring. Upon being apprehended, Atworth blamed the crime on an alternate personality of his by the name of Nino. Later he asked that no appeals be made on his behalf.
