— . . . and in conclusion, I’d like to tell my kids that I’ll alwa
— Sorry, Jeff. That’s it. You’ve used up your 140 characters. Throw the switch, Doc.
A new law in Ohio may put a word length on the last words of death row inmates. Yeah, that’s right, read that line again: They may cut off people when they’re, you know, saying the last thing they’ll ever say.
This latest ridiculousness was sparked thanks to Michael Beuke, a hitchhiker who went on a killing spree that claimed three. When it came time for his last words before lights out, Beuke spent 17 minutes reciting the rosary, praying, and saying he was sorry.
After the state fried him, officials decided to revisit the statute that allows for last words because Beuke’s cut into too many state employees’ dinner hour. Or something. According to the Daily Mail, state spokesperson Julie Walburn says prison officials would only use the cut-off “carefully” and “in a thoughtful manner.”
This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2010.
Oh good grief!
why should they even get last words… their victims didn’t
There should be a time limit. They could ramble on and on for an indefinite amount of time and that’s supposed to be ok? I don’t think so, and hell yeah if some criminal’s last words are cutting into my dinner hour or it’s time to go home to my family, because I can do that because I’m a law abiding, tax paying citizen, then darn right I’m not gonna be too pleased. Sorry. We have to draw the line somewhere.
They are only trying to put off the inevitable. They can write a freakin’ letter if they’ve got that much to say. Why are we so concerned about their feelings?? I have to follow rules, and if the rule is you get 5 minutes for last words then choose your words carefully.