“I’m disappointed with the almost total lack of fairness in the American criminal justice system. This is truly a sad time in our country’s history, when political concerns take on more importance than the fundamental rights of the individual.”

— Roy Allen Harich, convicted of rape and murder, electric chair, Florida.
Executed April 24, 1991

Harich was the first prisoner executed after the Supreme Court limited inmates to one federal appeal, a fact reflected in his last words. In 1981, according to court documents, Harich had offered a lift to Carlene Gayle Kelly, age eighteen, and her friend Deborah Miller, seventeen, then drove them to a remote area to smoke marijuana.

He slashed their throats and shot both in the head, but Miller survived to testify against him.

“I wish I had Corrick and Wynn on my lap.”

— Fred Blink, convicted of murder, electric chair, Illinois.
Executed April 23, 1935

The men Blink addressed in his final statement were Tim Corrick, the husband of one of his victims, and L. L. Wynn, the prosecutor in the case. Blink claimed that Corrick gave him poisoned whiskey, which caused his murder spree. The World War I veteran was convicted in the shooting deaths of his former business partner and four other people. After the verdict was pronounced, Blink had to be lifted from his chair and forced from the courtroom.

“I don’t know if I am forgiven. I may have to suffer in the next world. The priest tells me so, perhaps, but I am as sorry as I can be for it.”

— Joaquin Eslabe, convicted of murder, hanging, California.
Executed April 23, 1900

Eslabe was a street vendor and friend to Charles E. Gates, whom he killed in an alcohol-inflamed argument. While in prison, Eslabe made an escape attempt aided by a woman who regularly brought him fruit and other treats. When police searched his cell they found a hacksaw. At his execution, Eslabe trembled as he climbed the scaffold but smiled as the black hood was placed over his head.