Whether you agree with the death penalty or not, we can all agree that some people deserve to die, whether at the hands of the state, or through some other avenue.
Some of the most notorious serial killers throughout history have been located in the United States, and have also been executed by the state. One polarizing topic surrounding executions (besides the obvious) is the fact that these sadistic killers are given their choice of a "last meal".
Some of the meal choices you see in this article won't surprise you, but others will leave you scratching you head.
1. Timothy McVeigh - Oklahoma City Bomber - 168 Counts of Murder
Timothy McVeigh will forever go down in history as one of the most heartless killers of all time. When he bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, he had no thoughts of the many innocents (including children) that he would kill and injure. McVeigh was executed via lethal injection on June 11, 2001 in Indiana. His last meal was two pints of mint-chocolate chip ice cream.
2. John Wayne Gacy - The Clown Killer - Rape, 33 Counts of Murder
One of the few words that I can authentically use to describe John Wayne Gacy is sadistic. The active community member who would often dress up as a clown for children's birthday parties, was convicted of rape and 33 counts of murder. When police visited his house, a smell led them to a crawl space under the house where they found the remains of his victims, decomposing beneath his floor. He was put to death on May 10, 1994 via lethal injection. His last meal? 12 friend shrimp, one bucket of original KFC, french fries and one pound of fresh strawberries.
3. AiIeen Wuornos - 7 Counts of Murder
You may know Aileen Wournos from the movie Monster, where she was convincingly portrayed by Charlize Theron. But the real Aileen Wournos was a much more terrifying individual. Her life story was tragic, but in the end she was convicted of murdering seven men (all of which she claimed had raped/tried to rape her after soliciting her for sex). Wournos was executed by lethal injection in Florida on October 9, 2002. She declined a last meal, instead asking for a cup of black coffee.
4. Ted Bundy - Rape, Necrophilia, Escape from Custody, 30 Counts of Murder
Ted Bundy: Serial killer, kidnapper, rapist, thief, burglar and necrophiliac. After he was captured he denied any involvement in the crimes until a bite mark indentation put him in hot water. Eventually Bundy would confess to 30 murders, but investigators all agree that the number was likely much higher. Bundy was intelligent, educated, handsome and charming, which was likely why he was so successful in convincing women to end up alone with him. He even managed to escape custody twice. Bundy even ended up on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list. His first trial in Miami was covered by press from all over the world, and was televised nationally in the U.S.
He was put to death by electrocution on January 24, 1946. He, like Aileen Wournos, refused a last meal. Bundy was then provided with the "traditional" last meal of steak, eggs, hash browns, toast, accompanied by milk and juice.
5. Victor Feguer - Kidnapping, 1 Count of Murder
By no means is Victor Feguer in the same league as the killers above him on this list. He kidnapped a doctor and shot him one in the head. Feguer was hanged for his crimes on March 15, 1963 in Iowa. What puts him on this list was the uniqueness of his last meal request, one olive with the pit inside. He thought that it would be possible for an olive tree to grow from his corpse once he was buried.
6. Allen Lee "Tiny" Davis - Robbery, 3 Counts of Murder
If there was ever a man deserving of execution it was Allen Lee "Tiny" Davis. I don't approve of the death penalty in cases where there is even a shred of doubt concerning their guilt, but in this case I would have gladly thrown the switch myself. Davis was convicted of killing Nancy Weiler (who was three months pregnant at the time) and her two daughters, Kristina 9, and Katherine 5. He was executed on July 8, 1999 in Florida. His last meal consisted of lobster tail, friend potatoes, shrimp, fried clams, garlic bread and a glass of A&W root beer.
7. Herman Webster Mudget aka. H.H. Holmes - 9 Counts of Murder (Number of victims likely between 20 - 200)
H.H. Holmes was a con-artist and serial killer from the 19th century. He went as far as constructing his own "murder house" in Chicago. It was complete with secret rooms, hidden passages, and shoots for secretly dumping bodies. Holmes fled Chicago and traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada, leaving bodies in his wake as he went.
Holmes confessed to 27 murders, but only nine could positively be linked to him, because some of the people he claimed to have killed were still alive. Some say he could have killed as many as 200, but no evidence exists to support that theory. Holmes was executed on May 7, 1986. His last meal was boiled eggs, dry toast, and coffee.
8. Steven Frederick Spears - 1 Count of Murder
Steven Spears confessed to murdering his ex-girlfriend and was convicted in August 2001. Spears didn't help in his defense, made no statements to save his life, and even after his conviction he decided not to open up any appeals in an attempt to save his life.
He simply stated that he didn't want to die, but that living in a 6 x 9 cell wasn't living. He was put to death by lethal injection on November 16, 2016 in Georgia. His last meal was a large meat-lovers pizza.
