Question: Should a death row inmate, who requested a 6 pack of beer for his last meal, be allowed to have it?

2015-11-18T21:50:45-05:00

I'm curious to know what you think, especially when the only reason he cannot is because alcohol is considered "contraband"...
So what? If you give it to him, will you will have to add more time to his sentence? I understand there are quite a few things you would have to say "No" to, and what we say here won't make a difference, but seriously? No to a 6 pack of beer as a last meal????

A Georgia death-row inmate scheduled for execution on Thursday requested a six-pack of beer as his last meal and was turned down, prison officials said.

As a result, Marcus Ray Johnson will be given the regular meal: baked fish, cheese grits, beans, cole slaw, cookies and fruit punch.

"His request was declined as alcohol is a contraband item," the Georgia Department of Corrections said in a statement.

Johnson, 50, was sentenced to death for the murder of Angela Sizemore, a woman he picked up at a bar in 1994. She was stabbed dozens of times.

In last-minute appeals, Johnson's lawyers claimed that while he admits having sex with Sizemore, there was not enough evidence to tie him to the killing.

If it happens, Johnson will be the first inmate Georgia puts to death since Kelly Ann Gissendaner, who was executed in September despite a plea for mercy from Pope Francis.

Georgia Death Row Inmate Asks for Six-Pack of Beer as Last Meal

Prison officials said alcohol is contraband.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Nov 18 at 2015 10:06 PM

2015-11-18T22:06:03-05:00

No, he shouldn't be impaired from feeling the full effects of the consequences of his choices. He's earned it.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 18 at 2015 10:19 PM

2015-11-18T22:19:49-05:00

I don't see why we waste money on giving him a meal. He is not a nice guy or he wouldn't be there.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 18 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-11-18T22:27:49-05:00

I have an issue with giving a death row inmate, the worst of the worst, a "last meal" of his/her choice. Their victims were given no such courtesy. They should get whatever is on the menu that day at the prison cafeteria, stuff it down their pie hole and take the stroll to the death chamber and receive the punishment that was likely 15-20 years in the coming. That is 15-20 more years than their victim(s) had on this earth.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 18 at 2015 10:45 PM

2015-11-18T22:45:11-05:00

What is the problem here? It won't be habit forming.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 18 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-11-18T23:18:39-05:00

His last beer should have been at that bar, he chose to kill a woman....no sympathy from me!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 11:25 PM

2015-11-18T23:25:03-05:00

I'd say give him a six-pack of O'douls. Now that we aren't in Iraq, there has to be a surplus of it in a KBR warehouse somewhere.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Nov 18 at 2015 11:28 PM

2015-11-18T23:28:58-05:00

He gets nothing more than what Georgia DOC allows. He lost his privilege for beer when he was convicted and deserves to be sober right up until the time he expires just like the proverbial parrot in the Monty Python sketch. His victim didn't deserve the death penalty he gave her. He deserves nothing but our contempt and a burial in an unmarked graves.

Response by LCpl Stanley Frieze made Nov 19 at 2015 2:54 AM

2015-11-19T02:54:56-05:00

Personally I don't see anyanything wrong with letting him have the beer. He is paying his debt. By the time he goes to his execution it will be out of his system. Remember a conviction does not always mean the man was actually guilty. There have bebeen countless cases of innocent people being convicted of crimes. Giving him his final request is harmless to us so what does it hurt?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 7:27 AM

2015-11-19T07:27:15-05:00

Nope! A last meal is generous enough. Beer , that's unreasonable for prison. His victim didn't get a request for a last drink or meal before he murdered her!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-11-19T09:25:33-05:00

6 pack!?!?! that is too much. a 8oz cup maybe lol

Response by CPL J Sannizzaro made Nov 19 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-11-19T11:15:16-05:00

22 years experience working in prisons. If an inmate asks for MCDonalds it is contraband, under normal circumstance. As a last meal nothing that is otherwise legal should not be. So my question here is "Is it league in the State, County, City where the meal will be served?" If at the gas station across the street sells beer to the public, yes it should be granted. If alcoholic beverages are not leagal for sale, possession, or consumption, then no the law would have to be broken to give it to him.

Every prion I have worked at most items requested would be contraband anywhere else in the institution, a beer should be no different. That said set a reasonable limit. They may request a steak but not the cow. Give a serving of what he requests.

Response by Sgt Troy Fallert (Gurlin) made Jan 8 at 2016 11:27 PM

2016-01-08T23:27:15-05:00

No its contraband!