Last wish
A last wish is a privilege given to a person sentenced to death prior to their execution .
In many cultures there was no legal claim to a last wish. Often it was just a custom that was cultivated by the persons carrying out the punishment (prison staff, executioners ). By granting the last wish, they ask the death row inmate for original feud , which he accepts by saying what exactly he wants. This wish will then be fulfilled.
The last wish should in principle be largely free, but was more or less restrictive depending on the time. He could not delay the execution, as would be the case if the convict wanted "more time" or something that was time-consuming to procure. Freedom or reprieve could not be desired either. Desires that were viewed as illegal or immoral were mostly not fulfilled.
The overwhelming number of wishes must therefore have been limited to luxury foods. In the Wild West , tobacco, chewing tobacco or a bottle of wine were obviously popular last wishes. It is believed from ancient times that prisoners were allowed to see their wives or prostitutes before their execution . This is no longer possible in today's states that implement the death penalty .
Another measure associated with the original feud is the executioner's meal .
literature
- Hans von Hentig : From the origin of the executioner's meal . Mohr (Siebeck), Tübingen 1958.