His Last Meal And Testament

Philip Workman was convicted of shooting a cop in a robbery gone bad back in 1981 in Tennessee.  Even though his case meandered through a myriad of appeals and they all found him guilty or that proper procedures had been complied with, Mr. Workman maintained it was not his gun that felled the cop, but the bullet from another cop's gun.  Philip Workman's appeals were finally exhausted and on Wednesday, May 9th, Mr. Workman succumbed to the executioner's needle. 

Death row prisoners are usually given an opportunity to enjoy a final meal of their choosing (within reason and usually limited to what the Prison has on hand).  Last meals range from the sumptuous to the ordinary.   Some order steak with all the trimmings, some have a simple sandwich and others choose nothing at all. Most of them tend to be quite unhealthy.  Fried Chicken, double and triple cheeseburgers, fries, and various cakes and ice cream flavors, all washed down with Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper or Pepsi make up a lot of requests.

The last meal for the condemned is an interesting tradition.  Some point to the Last Supper of Christ, some point beyond that to the Greeks.  In any case, it seems appropriate that we grant them this last small boon.  It's ironic in that those who are to meet the needle or the noose weren't too concerned about the last culinary cravings of their victims.

Back to Mr. Workman.

Philip Workman also had a request for a last meal, but it was not for him.  He requested that a large vegetarian pizza be made and delivered to a homeless person after his demise.

According to the story, the prison was unable to make good with the request because of legal constraints so some good Samaritans stepped in to fill the void.

But news accounts of his request touched a nerve with the public.

Nashville's Union Rescue Mission received 170 pizzas. Media reports said listeners to a radio station in Minnesota also ordered pizzas sent to another organization for troubled youngsters.

What an interesting choice for Mr. Workman.  It was his request to make and that is what he chose.  It was nice of him to offer pizza from the states pantry to be given to some anonymous homeless person.  I suppose it was his way of trying to make some small amends and making peace with God.

VW

Comments

[canuckistani]

Yes I read about this too and found his gesture a good one. Perhaps this is one con that learned something behind bars.

Now, if Scott Peterson's day in the noose would only come sooner...

[Kelly]

This is easy for me to say since I'm not starving or homeless but I would rather choke than eat anything that was inspired by/from a cop killer. Good riddance.