As is customary, prisoners on death row are given a chance to say their final words before being executed.
Notorious murderers who have received the death sentence sometimes ask for forgiveness or to send messages to their loved ones.
Earlier this week, gangland killer Corey Johnson did just that, apologising to his victims’ families in a lengthy statement.
Others utter more chilling sentences as they count down the seconds until they meet their fate.
In some cases, they will say nothing at all – as the so-called ‘Womb Raider Killer’ Lisa Montgomery did on Wednesday.
She received a lethal injection but refused to offer any final words.
Here is a look at what some criminals on death row have chosen to say before being executed.
Ted Bundy
“Give my love to my family and friends”
(Image: The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images)
Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy kidnapped, raped and murdered numerous women during the 1970s.
Before his execution in 1989 by electric chair in Florida, he confessed to 30 murders across seven states.
But the exact number of his victims remains unknown.
His last words were: “I’d like you to give my love to my family and friends.”
William Bonin
“Go to a quiet place and think about it seriously”
Sex offender William Bonin, known as the ‘Freeway Killer’, was convicted of murdering 14 boys and young men.
Their bodies were discovered by the side of roads in southern California in 1979 and 1980.
At his execution in 1996 at San Quentin State Prison, he used his last words to offer a warning to any wannabe criminals.
He said: “I would suggest that when a person has a thought of doing anything serious against the law, that before they did that they should go to a quiet place and think about it seriously.”
Aileen Wuornos
“I’ll be back”
(Image: Getty Images)
Sex worker Aileen Wournos was convicted of shooting six men in Florida between 1989 and 1990 and was executed by lethal injection in 2002.
She said: “I’d just like to say I’m sailing with the rock, and I’ll be back, like Independence Day, with Jesus, June 6th. Like the movie, big mothership and all. I’ll be back.”
Her murderous rampage was later turned into the hit 2003 Hollywood film Monster, which starred Charlize Theron.
Clarence Ray Allen
“It’s a good day to die”
(Image: Reuters)
Clarence Ray Allen killed his son’s girlfriend in 1974, and was later convicted of arranging the murders of three witnesses.
He was executed by lethal injection in California in 2006, aged 76.
His last words were: “Hoka Hey, it’s a good day to die. Thank you very much. I love you all. Goodbye.”
Billie Wayne Coble
“That’ll be five dollars”
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Billie Wayne Coble shot dead his estranged wife’s parents and her police officer brother in Texas in 1989.
He spent nearly 30 years on death row before being killed by lethal injection in Texas in 2019.
His strange last words were: “That’ll be five dollars, take care.”
John Wayne Gacy
“Kiss my ass.”
John Wayne Gacy, who dressed as a clown for children’s parties and charity events, was convicted of raping and murdering at least 33 men in Chicago.
He was handed a death sentence in 1980 and was executed by lethal injection in 1994.
The last phrase he said was: “Kiss my ass.”
James French
“How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? French fries.”
Hitchhiker James French murdered a driver who picked him up in Texas in 1958.
He was executed by the electric chair in 1966.
French even used his last words to try and make a joke to members of the press.
Strapped in his chair, he said: “How’s this for a headline? ‘French Fries’.”
