A peculiar morning

**Update**

After a day of archive tweeting, there are still so many more posts that I haven't gotten to, so I've decided to go ahead and extend the tweeting until I bring us back up to the present.

*****

I was awoken this morning, far too early for the sabbath, to the news that the New York Times had mentioned Lost Words in a story about the Texas DCJ's archive of executed offenders' last words. After plodding along posting to the ether for the last two years, primarily to an audience of Russian spam bots and my mom, it was a fascinating surprise to be highlighted in the grey lady and to see @theselostword's Twitter followers increase by 400% (to 40).

To welcome all the new followers, I've decided that I'll be doing some archival tweeting tomorrow, July 1st. Some of these will be notable cases (Karla Faye Tucker, Cameron Todd Willingham), and others will be selections of my personal favorites, some of them maddening, some of them hilarious, and others heartbreaking. I hope you enjoy them.

Douglas Roberts #999218; April 20, 2005

Yes sir, Warden Okay I've been hanging around this popsicle stand way too long. Before I leave, I want to tell you all. When I die, bury me deep, lay two speakers at my feet, put some headphones on my head and rock and roll me when I'm dead. I'll see you in Heaven someday. That's all Warden.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Kimberly McCarthy, #999287; June 26, 2013

I just wanted to say thanks to all who have supported me over the years: Reverend Campbell, for my spiritual guidance; Aaron, the father of Darrian, my son; and Maurie, my attorney. Thank you everybody. This is not a loss, this is a win. You know where I am going. I am going home to be with Jesus. Keep the faith. I love ya'll. Thank you, Chaplain.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

George Hopper #999037; March 8, 2005

I want to apologize to you, and I am sorry. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life. The things I did changed so many lives. I can't take it back, it was an atrocity. I am sorry. I beg your forgiveness, I know I am not worthy of it. I love you Mom and Dad, and all my family. Thank you for everything. Jesus, thank you for your love and saving grace. Thank you for shedding your blood on Calvary for me. Thank you Jesus for the love you have shown me.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Dennis Bagwell #999209; February 17, 2005

Yes sir, can you hear me? To you Irene, Thank You. I love you all. All right Warden, I'm ready.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Troy Kunkle #784; January 25, 2005

Yes sir. I would like to ask you to forgive me. I made a mistake and I am sorry for what I did. All I can do is ask you to forgive me. I love you and I will see all of you in Heaven. I love you very much. Praise Jesus. I love you. Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

James Porter #999378; January 4, 2005

Yes sir, I do. I would like to apologize to the family of the victim. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you. I know it is a great loss and I want to apologize. I am sorry. And to my family, I love you and I will see you all in Heaven. O.K.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Elroy Chester, #999280; June 12, 2013

I just want to say I don't want you to have hate in your heart for me, because I took your loved one. I know it doesn't mean anything; I told the truth because I feel like you should know who killed your loved one. God watches everything. Don't hate me, if you do, you'll have to deal with Him later. For me, live your life but don't hate me. I'm sorry for taking your loved one.

Ms. Suzy, Susan, thank you for fighting for me in the courts. Thank you for supporting me for all these years. Elroy Chester wasn't a bad man, I knew me. A lot of people say I didn't commit those murders, I really did it.

That's my statement. Warden, you can go ahead.

Offender information

For additional information, please see this AP/CBS story

Anthony Fuentes #999215; November 17, 2004

Yes sir. Sorry that I have to put my family through this. All of you know I got my peace. And I hope you find peace. And to the family, the truth will come out and I hope you find peace. I got my peace. I hope everybody has their peace. I am tired. I am going to be in your heart. I love you all. To everybody else, the truth will be known. It didn't come out in time to save my life. It is wrong to put the families through this. But when it comes out, I hope it stops this. It is wrong for the prosecutors to lie and make witnesses say what they need them to say. The truth has always been there. I just hope everybody has their peace. Today I get mine. I love you all.


Offender information

For additional information, please see Fuentes's Murderpedia page

Frederick McWilliams #999242; November 10, 2004

Yes. Well here we are again folks, in the catacombs of justice. You know there is a lot I wanted to say - a lot I thought I'd say - but there is not a whole lot to say. There are people that will be mad thinking I try to seek freedom from this, but as long as I see - freedom belongs to me and I'll keep on keeping on. The shackles and chains that just might hold my body can't hold my mind, but will kill me otherwise. I love you momma, and Misty and Annette, Brenda and Anthony - and all my friends and everybody that supported me. I leave my love here; I am never going to stop loving you. My love is going to stay here.


Offender information

For additional information, please see McWilliams's Murderpedia page

Demarco Markeith McCullum #999180; November 9, 2004

I do. I just wanted to say to all of those that have supported me over the years that I appreciate it and I love you. And I just want to tell my mom that I love her and I will see her in Heaven.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Robert Morrow #999244; November 4, 2004

Yes I do. Mike and Ms. Allison, I would like to tell you that I am responsible and I am sorry for what I did and the pain I caused you all. I love you Earline and all of my friends that stood by me. I feel blessed to have had you all. Stay strong and take care of them kids. Set me free Warden. Father, accept me.


Offender information

For additional information, please see this Associated Press article

Lorenzo Morris #999038; November 2, 2004

Morris declined to make a final statement


Offender information

For additional information, please see Morris's Murderpedia page