By Corrections1 Staff
“Does the condemned have any last words?”
The answer to that question may no longer matter for Ohio death row inmates. The Washington Post is reporting that under new state prison rules wardens may edit or shorten the final words of condemned inmates.
The new rules were written after Michael Beuke recited prayers for 17 minutes before he was executed on May 13 this year, according to the Washington Post article.
“The warden may impose reasonable restrictions on the content and length of the statement,” the new rules say. “The warden may also terminate a statement that he or she believes is intentionally offensive to the witness.”
Beuke, 48, a hitchhiker who abducted and killed a motorist and then shot two others, recited prayers of the Roman Catholic Church, the New York Post reported Friday.
No limits have previously been placed on inmates’ last words, the New York Post article said.
Click here for a comprehensive list of famous last words.