In movies and books prisoners being executed are allowed last words. What’s the time limit on how long they’re allowed to talk before executions in the United States? I’m assuming prisoners try to perform a filibuster all the time- talking and talking to delay their deaths.
I don’t have any specific questions except for the above but any insight on the subject at all (perhaps we have Dopers who have attended executions?) would be appreciated.
In practice it will probably come down to the warden’s discretion, although there may be regulations promulgated by the State’s Department of Corrections (or equivalent.)
Under the law I believe most death warrants typically have a section that reads something like:
So I would imagine if a warden permitted the condemned to speak for so long that the date on the death warrant had passed, that might cause a problem. I know in many states with arrest warrants once they expire they need to be reissued (some never expire, though) but how it works for death warrants would require someone far more informed on the process than I to answer.
I don’t have a cite, but when McVeigh was executed, they said that the federal system allowed for two minutes of a “last words” speech. Now, in practice, since the man is about to die, if he wants to go on for 5 to 7 minutes, I don’t think that the warden will stop him. However, if he starts reading the phonebook or going on excessively long, then they will put a stop to it.
That’s one way to shut someone up.
I’m guessing they would let him talk and talk until someone pushed the button and he continued talking and taking and ta
I don’t think last words are a legal right, it is a custom, like the last meal. Contrary to the words of the old song, they don’t have to make what you want.
That strategy worked very well for Scheherazade.
Didn’t work at all for the 3rd guy in True Grit.