[imagesource: Getty]

Capital punishment in South Africa was abolished on June 6, 1995, by a ruling of the Constitutional Court in the case of the State versus Makwanyane.

The standard method used for executions was hanging, sometimes of multiple death row inmates at a time.

What many South Africans aren’t aware of is that capital punishment wasn’t only implemented for murder and rape, but also housebreaking and robbery or attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances, sabotage, training abroad to further the aims of communism, kidnapping, terrorism, and treason.

While there have been calls over the past few years to reinstate the death penalty, few understand the overarching implications of keeping a prisoner on death row, or executing them, following which any chance of proving innocence in cases where the justice system has failed is extinguished.

It also costs the country millions in taxpayers’ money for both the procedure and the burial.

Moving on the America, where the death penalty is currently used by 28 states, the federal government, and the military. It’s the only developed Western nation that still uses death to punish crimes.

It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to face lethal injection – the preferred method of execution in America.

That’s why photographer Jackie Black recreated the last meals requested by prisoners on death row before they were executed, reports BBC.

“What is it like to request a last meal before you are executed for a crime that you may or may not have committed?” asks the American photographer in an art statement on the project.

“If we can place ourselves in front of that meal, perhaps we can feel the experience.

“Maybe we can question our own motives and complicity with the justice system.

She also recorded basic information about the inmates, alongside their last words.

David Wayne Stoker

Stoker, who was executed on June 16, 1997, was a heavy-equipment operator and carpenter.

Last statement: “I am truly sorry for your loss… but I didn’t kill anyone”.

Anthony Ray Westley

Westley, who was executed on May 13, 1997, worked as a labourer.

Last statement: “I want you to know that I did not kill anyone. I love you all”.

Thomas Andy Barefoot

Barefoot, who worked as an oilfield roughneck, was executed on October 30, 1984.

Last statement: 

“I hope that one day we can look back on the evil that we’re doing right now like the witches we burned at the stake. I want everybody to know that I hold nothing against them. I forgive them all. I hope everybody I’ve done anything to will forgive me.

“I’ve been praying all day for [the victim’s] wife to drive the bitterness from her heart because that bitterness that’s in her heart will send her to hell just as surely as any other sin. I’m sorry for everything I’ve ever done to anybody. I hope they’ll forgive me.”

James Russell

Russell, a musician, was executed on September 1, 1991.

Last statement: ‘Reported to have lasted three minutes, it was either not transcribed or not recorded’.

Jeffrey Allen Barney

Details of Barney’s life before prison were not recorded. He was executed on April 16, 1986.

It may seem odd that somebody would order breakfast cereal for their final meal, but given how terrible prison food is, this would seem like a feast.

Last statement: “I am sorry for what I’ve done. I deserve this. Jesus forgive me”.

Johnny Frank Garrett

Garrett, who worked as a labourer, was executed on February 11, 1992.

Last statement: “I’d like to thank my family for loving me and taking care of me. And the rest of the world can kiss my ass”.

William Prince Davis

Davis was executed on September 14, 1999, and previously worked as a roofer.

Last statement:

“I would like to say to the family how truly sorry I am in my soul and in my heart of hearts for the pain and misery that I have caused from my actions… I would like to thank all of the men on death row who have showed me love throughout the years.

“I hope that by donating my body to science that some parts of it can be used to help someone… That is all I have to say, warden. Oh, I would like to say, in closing, what about those Cowboys?”

Gerald Lee Mitchell

Executed on October 22, 2001, Mitchell had worked as a carpenter before he was convicted of his crime.

Last statement:

“I am sorry for the pain. I am sorry for the life I took from you. I ask God for forgiveness. And I ask you for the same. I know it may be hard. But I’m sorry for what I did.

“To my family, I love each and every one of you. Be strong. Know my love is always with you, always. I know I am going home to be with the Lord. Shed tears of happiness for me.”

Robert Anthony Madden

Madden, a cook, was executed on May 28, 1997. I find it heartbreaking that his noble request couldn’t be honoured.

Last statement:

“I apologise for your loss and your pain. But I didn’t kill those people. Hopefully, we will all learn something about ourselves and each other. And we will learn to stop the cycle of hate and vengeance and come to value what is really going on in this world.

“I forgive everyone for this process, which seems to be wrong.”

Jackie Black’s exhibition, Last Meals, is on show at the Parrish Art Museum, in New York, until January 31, 2021.

[source:bbc]