MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Kenneth Smith, the first American to be executed by nitrogen asphyxia, used his final words on Death Row to make a powerful protest. He stated, “Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backwards. I’m leaving with love, peace, and light.”
While Smith’s message was poignant, other inmates facing the death penalty in the United States have had different reactions. Some have cracked jokes, predicted sporting events, or even mentioned vegetables in their final moments.
For example, Jimmy Glass, who was executed in Louisiana in 1987, joked, “I’d rather be fishing.” In 1917, Harrison Gibson, who was hanged in Montana after being convicted of murder, said, “They can’t kill a smile.” Other executed individuals had varying last words, from wisecracks to bizarre statements, shedding light on the different reactions to facing the end of life.
The diversity of responses from those facing execution underlines the complex emotions and varied experiences of individuals on Death Row. These final moments provide a unique window into the human psyche as individuals grapple with their mortality in prison.