• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Death row inmate had chilling ‘Grim Reaper’ final words before execution

Home> News> Crime

Updated 07:49 26 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 14:27 26 Dec 2023 GMT

Death row inmate had chilling ‘Grim Reaper’ final words before execution

Death row inmate Robert Alton Harris uttered some chilling final words.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

A death row inmate had some chilling 'Grim Reaper' final words before he was executed in 1992.

Robert Alton Harris spent 13 years on death row after murdering two teenagers in the 1970s.

He and his brother Daniel Marcus Harris commenced their wicked ways by kidnapping two 16-year-old boys from a fast food restaurant in San Diego in July 1978.

John Mayeski and Michael Baker were held at gunpoint by the two men, subsequently being forced to drive into an isolated area.

This is where the brutal murder took place, as Robert shot and killed the two boys.

Advert

The San Diego Union-Tribune states that the killer gloated about killing the two teenagers and even ate the rest of their hamburgers.

Their crimes didn't stop that day as the brothers used the stolen vehicle to rob a nearby bank.

Robert Alton Harris spent 13 years on death row before being executed.
CDCR

They were both caught by police and local officials after a witness followed them to their home address after robbing the bank.

Advert

It didn't take long for Robert Harris to be sentenced for his crimes, as he was convicted of two counts of murder in the first degree with special circumstances, and kidnapping.

READ MORE

Death row inmate set to become first to be executed with new controversial method

Death row inmate set to be first to die with new method already survived botched execution

Advert

Harris' case was a long running one.
SAM FORENCICH/AFP via Getty Images

In March 1979, the killer was sentenced to death.

It wasn't for another 13 years until Robert Harris was executed, with him being sent to a gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison in April 1992.

In what was the first execution in California in 25 years, Robert Harris uttered some rather chilling final words before his death.

Advert

According to prison boss Daniel Vasquez, the killer's final words were: "You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper."

Witnesses said the killer laughed, winked and smiled as an audience gathered to watch his final moments.

Protests took place before the incident.
SAM FORENCICH / AFP) (Photo by SAM FORENCICH/AFP via Getty Images

His final moments were recorded by the Los Angeles Times.

Advert

"Again, Harris was walked in. This time, his face was blank. His resignation and fear seemed greater," the report began.

"Again, officers swarmed over him, strapping his wrists, arms, chest, legs. The officer's arms again were around Harris' chest. There was no fight.

"At 6:02 or so, Harris nodded to his officer friend, looked up, blinked, turned to his brother and looked away. After a pause, a thumbs-up again. His cousin, Leon Harris, returned the sign."

"Then the moment everyone in the room will remember: He threw his head back over his left shoulder and caught the eye of Michael Baker's still-grieving father. 'I'm sorry,' he mouthed."

Featured Image Credit: CDCR / FrankvandenBergh/Getty

Topics: Crime, News, US News, Death Row

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Patient dies of plague in extremely rare case after health officials issued chilling warning

    The plague is likely to have come from rodents like prairie dogs, whose colonies are known to carry case after case of the disease

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Conjoined twin Carmen Andrade announces marriage as sister Lupita explains why she ‘doesn’t want to get hitched’

    Carmen Andrade revealed she got married seven months ago in secret in a YouTube video

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Psychotherapist reveals the one reason people cheat and explains why it happens

    A psychotherapist with 45 years working as a sex therapist has detailed why she believes people cheat, and explains how you can prevent it

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Trump slammed for disturbing description of Texas floods that makes people ‘want to throw up’

    Trump seemed to really irk people by what he said

    News
  • Bizarre reason death row inmate is trying to delay execution for heinous crime more than 30 years ago
  • Lawyers of death row inmate set to die by gruelling execution method object for one specific reason
  • Death row inmate used final words for chilling statement to victim's family before execution by lethal injection
  • Death row inmate gave chilling final signal to witnesses before execution by nitrogen gas