Beatrice Lang
The last person to be executed by electric chair in the United States was Robert Gleason, who was put to death on January 16, 2013, in Virginia. Gleason, already serving a life sentence for a previous murder, was convicted of killing two fellow inmates while in prison. He chose the electric chair over lethal injection, marking the first time in Virginia since 2010 that this method was used. His execution reignited debates about the ethics and constitutionality of capital punishment, particularly regarding the use of the electric chair, which has been largely replaced by lethal injection in states that still practice the death penalty. Gleason's case remains a significant point of reference in discussions about the finality and methods of execution in the U.S.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dustin Higgs |
| Date of Execution | January 16, 2021 |
| Age at Execution | 48 |
| Crime | Murder of three women in 1996 |
| Location of Execution | Terre Haute, Indiana, USA |
| Method of Execution | Electric chair (opted for this method) |
| Last Meal | Fried chicken, shrimp, french fries, onion rings, apple pie, and ice cream |
| Last Words | "I'd like to say I am an innocent man. I did not order the murders." |
| Notable Facts | - Higgs was the last federal inmate to be executed during the Trump administration's resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus. - He was the first federal inmate to be executed via electric chair since 2003. - His execution was controversial, with critics arguing that he was not the trigger man in the murders and that his co-defendant received a life sentence. |
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What You'll Learn
Last Execution by Electric Chair in the U.S
The last execution by electric chair in the United States took place on January 16, 2013, when Robert Charles Gleason Jr. was put to death in Virginia. Gleason, a convicted murderer, had been serving a life sentence for killing a man during a drug deal gone wrong. While in prison, he murdered two fellow inmates, which led to his death sentence. Gleason waived his appeals and chose the electric chair over lethal injection, making his execution the first by this method in Virginia since 2010 and the last in the U.S. to date. His decision to forgo appeals and select the electric chair was seen as a deliberate attempt to expedite his death, as he expressed no desire to continue living in prison.
Gleason's execution marked a rare instance of the electric chair's use in the 21st century, as most states had transitioned to lethal injection as their primary method of execution. By the time of Gleason's death, only a handful of states still permitted the electric chair, and it was often offered as an alternative to inmates who chose it over lethal injection. Virginia, in particular, allowed inmates to select the electric chair if their capital crime was committed before 1995, which applied to Gleason's case. His choice reignited debates about the ethics and constitutionality of the electric chair, with critics arguing that it constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
The electric chair, first introduced in 1890 as a "humane" alternative to hanging, had long been controversial due to botched executions and concerns about its reliability. By the early 2000s, it had largely fallen out of favor, with lethal injection becoming the preferred method. Gleason's execution, however, highlighted the lingering role of the electric chair in U.S. capital punishment. His case also drew attention to the mental health issues often associated with death row inmates, as Gleason himself had a history of violence and instability, which he claimed was driven by a desire to be executed.
The process of Gleason's execution was carried out at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia. After his final meal and last words, he was strapped into the electric chair, and a series of electrical currents were administered, resulting in his death. The execution was witnessed by a small group of officials and media representatives, as is standard in such cases. Gleason's death closed a chapter in the history of the electric chair, leaving it as a rarely used and increasingly archaic method of execution in the United States.
Since Gleason's execution, no other inmate has been put to death by electric chair in the U.S., and the method continues to be rarely selected by those facing capital punishment. As of now, it remains an option in a few states, but its use is highly uncommon. Gleason's case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the death penalty, particularly when it comes to the methods employed. His execution remains a significant historical marker, representing the last time the electric chair was used in the United States.
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Identity of the Last Person Executed
The identity of the last person executed by electric chair is a topic that varies depending on the jurisdiction, as different states in the U.S. have used the electric chair at different times. However, one of the most widely recognized cases is that of Doyle Lee Hamm, who was scheduled to be executed in Alabama in 2018 but did not actually receive the death penalty due to complications. Instead, the last confirmed execution by electric chair in the United States was Robert Gleason, who was put to death in Virginia on January 16, 2013. Gleason, a convicted murderer, chose the electric chair over lethal injection, making his case notable as the most recent instance of this method being used.
Robert Gleason's execution marked a rare occurrence, as the electric chair has largely been replaced by lethal injection as the primary method of execution in the U.S. Gleason was already serving a life sentence for a previous murder when he killed two fellow inmates in prison. He waived his appeals and requested the electric chair, stating that he preferred it over lethal injection. His choice and subsequent execution reignited debates about the ethics and practicality of the electric chair in modern times. Gleason's case stands as the last confirmed use of this method, making him the focus of discussions about the identity of the last person executed by electric chair.
While Gleason's case is the most recent, it is essential to note that the electric chair remains a legal method of execution in several states, though it is rarely chosen. In states like Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, inmates can still opt for the electric chair, often as an alternative to lethal injection. However, since Gleason's execution, no other inmate has been put to death using this method. This rarity contributes to the significance of Gleason's identity as the last person executed by electric chair, as his case serves as a historical marker in the evolution of capital punishment methods.
The details of Gleason's life and crimes further contextualize his identity as the last person executed by electric chair. Born in 1970, Gleason had a history of violence and criminal activity before his incarceration. His decision to forgo appeals and choose the electric chair was seen by some as a final act of defiance or a desire to control his own fate. His execution was carried out without complications, though it sparked renewed scrutiny of the electric chair's use in the 21st century. Gleason's case remains a critical point of reference for understanding the decline of the electric chair and its place in the history of capital punishment.
In summary, the identity of the last person executed by electric chair is Robert Gleason, whose 2013 execution in Virginia stands as the most recent confirmed use of this method. Gleason's choice of the electric chair and his background as a convicted murderer who killed fellow inmates add layers to his identity as the final individual to undergo this form of execution. While the electric chair remains an option in some states, Gleason's case remains the last instance of its use, making him a significant figure in discussions about capital punishment and its methods. His execution serves as a historical endpoint for the electric chair's role in U.S. penal practices.
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Date and Location of the Execution
The last person to be executed by electric chair in the United States was Doyle Lee Hamm, whose execution took place on February 22, 2018, in Alabama. However, it is important to note that while Hamm was scheduled for execution by electric chair, he was ultimately executed by lethal injection due to complications arising from his medical condition. Therefore, the last confirmed execution by electric chair remains that of Robert Gleason, who was put to death on January 16, 2013, in Virginia. Gleason, who was incarcerated at the Sussex I State Prison in Waverly, Virginia, chose the electric chair over lethal injection, making his case notable as the most recent instance of this method being used.
The execution of Robert Gleason was carried out at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia, a facility designated for state executions. The date, January 16, 2013, marked the culmination of a legal process that had drawn attention due to Gleason's insistence on the electric chair. Virginia is one of the few states that still permits the use of the electric chair, either as a primary or secondary method of execution, and Gleason's choice highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics and practicality of this execution method.
Prior to Gleason, the last person executed by electric chair was Paul Warner Powell, also in Virginia, on March 18, 2010. Powell's execution took place at the same location, the Greensville Correctional Center, reinforcing Virginia's role as the most recent state to carry out this form of capital punishment. The choice of the electric chair in both cases was made by the inmates themselves, as Virginia law allows condemned prisoners to select between the electric chair and lethal injection.
It is worth noting that the use of the electric chair has significantly declined since its introduction in the late 19th century. As of 2023, only a handful of states retain the electric chair as an option, and its use is increasingly rare. The execution of Robert Gleason on January 16, 2013, at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Virginia, thus stands as the most recent instance of this method, marking a notable moment in the history of capital punishment in the United States.
For those researching the topic, the date and location of the last electric chair execution—January 16, 2013, at Greensville Correctional Center, Jarratt, Virginia—are critical details. This information provides a clear and focused answer to the question of who was the last person to use the electric chair, grounding the discussion in specific historical and geographical context.
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Crime Committed by the Individual
The last person to be executed by electric chair in the United States was Robert Charles Gleason Jr., who was put to death on January 16, 2013, in Virginia. Gleason was a convicted murderer who was already serving a life sentence for a previous murder when he committed the crimes that led to his execution. His case is particularly notable due to the brutal nature of his offenses and his own insistence on receiving the death penalty.
Robert Gleason’s first murder occurred in 2007, when he killed a homeless man named Michael Kent Jamerson in Amherst County, Virginia. Gleason lured Jamerson into a remote area under the pretense of offering him work and then shot him in the back of the head. This crime alone was heinous, but Gleason’s actions while incarcerated for this murder escalated his case to an unprecedented level. In 2010, while serving his life sentence at Wallens Ridge State Prison, Gleason murdered his cellmate, Aaron Cooper. The motive for this killing was Gleason’s desire to be sentenced to death, as he believed it was preferable to spending the rest of his life in prison. He strangled Cooper with a towel and bragged about the murder to prison officials.
Gleason’s third and final murder occurred just two months after killing Cooper. In July 2010, he murdered another inmate, Harvey Watson, by tying a towel around his neck and pulling it with such force that Watson’s spine was severed. Gleason again admitted to the crime and expressed no remorse, stating that he intended to continue killing until he received the death penalty. His calculated and deliberate actions, coupled with his explicit desire to be executed, made his case unique in the annals of capital punishment.
The crimes committed by Gleason were not only violent but also premeditated and carried out with a chilling lack of empathy. His murders in prison were particularly disturbing because they exploited the vulnerability of his victims within the confined and controlled environment of a correctional facility. Gleason’s insistence on receiving the death penalty complicated his legal proceedings, as he waived his appeals and actively sought to expedite his execution. This behavior raised ethical questions about the role of the justice system in accommodating an inmate’s wish to die.
In summary, Robert Gleason’s crimes were marked by their brutality, premeditation, and his own macabre determination to be executed. His actions, both in the outside world and within the prison system, demonstrated a profound disregard for human life and a willingness to manipulate the legal system to achieve his desired end. Gleason’s case remains a stark example of the complexities surrounding capital punishment and the moral dilemmas it presents.
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Controversies Surrounding the Execution Method
The use of the electric chair as a method of execution has long been mired in controversy, with its application raising ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns. One of the primary controversies surrounds the question of whether the electric chair constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, which is prohibited by the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Critics argue that the electric chair often results in prolonged and agonizing deaths, with documented cases of botched executions where inmates caught fire, suffered visible pain, or required multiple shocks to induce death. These incidents have fueled debates about the method's inherent cruelty and its compatibility with constitutional standards of decency.
Another significant controversy is the disparity in its use, particularly in relation to race and socioeconomic status. Studies have shown that individuals from marginalized communities, particularly Black defendants, are disproportionately sentenced to death by methods like the electric chair. This raises questions about systemic bias within the criminal justice system and whether the application of such execution methods is influenced by racial or class-based prejudices. The last person to be executed by electric chair, for instance, often becomes a focal point in discussions about whether their sentence was just or a product of systemic inequities.
The electric chair's reliability as a humane method of execution is also a point of contention. Unlike lethal injection, which is often portrayed as a more "peaceful" alternative, the electric chair has a history of technical failures. Issues such as improper electrode placement, voltage miscalculations, and equipment malfunctions have led to gruesome outcomes. These failures not only prolong the suffering of the condemned but also traumatize witnesses, including prison staff and family members, further eroding public confidence in the method.
Legal challenges to the electric chair have intensified over the years, with numerous appeals arguing that it violates international human rights standards. Organizations like Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have condemned its use, labeling it as a form of torture. Despite these criticisms, some states have retained the electric chair as a backup method when lethal injection drugs are unavailable, sparking further outrage. The debate over its legality continues to play out in courts, with opponents pushing for its abolition on grounds of inhumanity.
Public opinion has also shifted significantly, with growing skepticism about the electric chair's place in modern society. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans now favor alternative methods or oppose the death penalty altogether. The last person to be executed by electric chair often becomes a symbol of this broader societal reevaluation, prompting discussions about whether such methods align with contemporary values of justice and compassion. As states increasingly move away from the electric chair, its legacy remains a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to balance retribution with humanity in the criminal justice system.
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Frequently asked questions
The last person to be executed by electric chair in the United States was Dustin Higgs, who was executed in federal custody on January 16, 2021.
Tennessee is the most recent state to use the electric chair, with the execution of Edmund Zagorski on November 1, 2018.
Yes, the electric chair remains a legal method of execution in several states, though it is often offered as an alternative to lethal injection.
As of 2023, eight states allow the use of the electric chair, either as a primary or secondary method of execution: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Some inmates choose the electric chair due to concerns about the constitutionality and potential pain associated with lethal injection, or as a form of protest against the death penalty.
