The FINAL MEALS For Utah Death Row Inmates: Ted Bundy & More

After the conviction of Chad Daybell, it got me thinking about the FINAL MEALS of inmates. Why do we give them whatever they want? Why do we wait years before executing these individuals? Do you deserve this kind of treatment when you've brutally murdered someone?

TED BUNDY:

Ted Bundy, maybe the most famous serial killer in American history confessed to the murders of 28 women in Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Florida. It's believed that Ted actually murdered HUNDREDS of women. Ted was found guilty of killing Lisa Levy and Margaret Bowman on July 24, 1979, and sentenced to death. Ted was captured, convicted, and executed in Florida, however, NOT Utah. But he's notorious in this state.

Ted actually had NO REQUEST for his final meal. He was given the customary final meal: Steak cooked medium-rare, eggs over easy, hash browns, buttered toast with jelly, milk, and juice. That's right... Bundy's final meal was breakfast! My favorite meal of the entire day. Ted Bundy was executed in an electric chair at 7:16 a.m. EST on Tuesday, January 24, 1989. His famous last words were directed at his attorney Jim Coleman and Methodist minister Fred Lawrence: "Jim and Fred, I'd like you to give my love to my family and friends."

After his execution, people outside the prison were singing, dancing, and setting off fireworks. While the hearse drove by with Bundy's body, people cheered. Ted's corpse was cremated in Gainesville, Florida and his ashes were spread in an undisclosed location in the mountains in Washington State.

JOHN ALBERT TAYLOR:

John Taylor was born in Ogden, Utah and lived there until age 9 when he moved with his mother to Colorado. He was a troubled kid, stabbing his stepfather, molesting and raping his sisters, and arrested multiple times. He was diagnosed as a "remorseless pedophile". On June 23, 1989, John Albert Taylor raped and murdered 12 year old Charla King. That's all the details I will be giving about the crime. Taylor was convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree rape of a child, and first-degree murder on December 5, 1989.

For John's final meal, he ordered a large Ambassador pizza with thin crust, onions, mushrooms, hot peppers, sausage, pepperoni, ham and extra cheese. He also asked for a Coke to drink. Taylor spent his final evening sharing his pizza with his uncle Gordon Lee while joined by former attorney Ed Brass and Catholic priest Reyes Rodriguez, who administered the Last Rites.

On January 26, 1996, John Albert Taylor was executed by firing squad in a warehouse at the Utah State Prison at 12:03 a.m.

Get our free mobile app

Utah Death Row Inmates Final Meals: Burger King???

RONNIE LEE GARDNER:

Ronnie Lee Gardner murdered 34-year old Melvyn John Otterstrom in 1984 during a robbery. While being moved to a court hearing the following year, he shot and killed Attorney, Michael Burdell in an unsuccessful murder attempt. Gardner was sentenced to life in prison for the first murder, and the death penalty for the second murder.

Ronnie chose to eat his final meal two days before his execution. He chose steak, lobster tail, apple pie, vanilla ice cream and 7-Up, before beginning a 48-hour fast while watching The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and reading Divine Justice.

Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad on June 18, 2010 at 12:15am.

FINAL MEAL RANKING: 8/10.

JOSEPH MITCHEL PARSONS:

Joseph Mitchell Parsons hitched a ride with Richard Ernest in August of 1987. Parsons ended up stabbing Ernest to death before assuming his identity. After being arrested, he continued to insist that he was Ernest.

For his final meal, Parsons selected 3 Burger King Whoppers, 2 French fries, a chocolate shake, chocolate chip ice cream, and a packet of grape Hubba Bubba bubble gum. Joseph chose Burger King because of their slogan "Have it your way", which he felt was a reflection of him taking control of his life.

Joseph Parsons was executed by lethal injection on October 15, 1999 at 12:10am.

FINAL MEAL RANKING: 9/10. (I love Burger King)