FLORIDA LAST MEAL--WAYNE TOMPKINS, February 11, 2009

FLORIDA LAST MEAL
WAYNE TOMPKINS
February 11, 2009

...he used only the single spoon the state allows....

Last Meal: Tompkins had a final meal request of fried chicken, banana split ice cream and some water. He used only the single spoon the state allows.

The skinny: Tompkins was executed for killing his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter.

More skinny: In 1983, Tompkins lived with a woman and her 15-year old daughter. Tompkins was assisting his girlfriend's mother in packing to move and went home several times during the day to obtain newspapers to use in the packing. The defendant returned later in the day, after going home, and reported that the victim had run away, and he doubted she would ever return.

In 1984, her decomposed body was found buried underneath the residence. She had been strangled. Also recovered from the grave were a pink bathrobe, a diamond ring and a pair of gold-cross earrings.

Two years later, Tompkins was behind bars on unrelated rape charges and told a jailhouse informant he strangled the girl with her bathrobe sash when she fought off his sexual advances. A friend of the victim came forward and stated that she went to the residence on the day of her disappearance and observed Tompkins on top of the victim, who was struggling and screaming for help.

The day of...Tompkins spent three hours with his mother. For two of those hours, they were not allowed physical contact. She was not allowed to witness the execution.

Tompkins, who described his religion as Native American, also met with the prison chaplain since he had no preferred spiritual adviser.

About 4 p.m., the staff gave him a shot of diazepam to calm his nerves.

Last words and such: Among the 25 witnesses to the execution was the girl's mother, along with other relatives of the victim, law enforcement personnel and news reporters.

When asked whether he had a final statement, Tompkins said, "I am good."

At 6:26 p.m., Tompkins' breathing calmed. The mouth movements stopped. His eyes closed.

Factoids: Tompkins was the...

11th murderer executed in U.S. in 2009
1147th murderer executed in U.S. since 1976
1st murderer executed in Florida in 2009
67th murderer executed in Florida since 1976

Outside the prison, in a roped-off area near where a white hearse was parked, about 40 death penalty opponents gathered to protest the execution.