“You people over there. You know what these people are doing. By them executing me ain’t doing nothing right. I don’t weigh 180 pounds and 5’7”. Take care, love y’all… ”

— Vincent Cooks, convicted of murder, lethal injection,Texas.
Executed December 12, 2001

Cooks stood 6’3″ and weighed three hundred pounds. Witnesses of a robbery in which a police officer was killed identified a significantly shorter, slimmer man as the perpetrator. However, Cooks stood trial and was convicted of murder.

“O my God, I am sorry for having offended thee.”

— Willie Green, convicted of murder, electric chair, Illinois.
Executed December 11, 1931

The Chicago Daily Tribune recorded little about Green, age thirtyone, who faced the electric chair for killing grocer Max Newman. He was executed the same day as three other convicted murderers at the Southern Illinois Penitentiary in Menard. He delivered his last words while shaking hands with a priest.

“My last wish is that Sam Cardinella hang, too. He’s responsible for me being here. He headed the gang. It is sweet to die for a mother, sister and a brother. I forgive all who have done anything against me. I want to thank the sheriff and the jailer and all who have been good . . .”

— Nicholas Viana, convicted of murder, hanging, Illinois.
Executed December 10, 1920

The nineteen-year-old Viana said that he had walked into a pool hall one day and a week later became a criminal. Viana murdered a saloon owner during a holdup. He spent his last hours with his mother singing “Mother o’ Mine” at her request. On the way to the death cell he sang “Miserere.”