News about Carl Panzram

A spree of five executions in the US has reignited both horror and interest in the death penalty - which is retained in 23 states - and has once again ignited the debate over its use. Reporting on the five cases has also reignited a morbid fascination in the final words uttered by those about to be executed. While it is not a constitutional right, it has long been tradition to allow prisoners to make a final statement. In some states, officials place a limit on how long this statement can last, while others have tried to make such statements written only. Regardless of how they have been delivered, America's history of final words is greatly varied, with the five in the past week alone have demonstrated this. The executed men pleaded their innocence, reassured their family members watching on, said their final thanks, prayed to their god - or simply said 'bye'. Here, DailyMail.com takes a look back at some of the most notable final words, beginning with the five from the past week: