Capital punishment is by definition the worst punishment humans can inflict on each other.

It's reserved for the most heinous of criminals, and even then it's controversial.

There's plenty of conversation to be had about why we punish killers by killing them,

but what we're really interested in today is why do we feed them a nice dinner first?

For a death row inmates last meal, we let them order anything they want.

Alongside last words, it's their final strange chance for self-expression,

but the weirdest part is that the justice system usually honors the request.

Sure, they're gonna die, but they gotta eat first.

Today, we're looking at the top 10 death row last meals.

Last meals remind us that even our worst criminals still have a favorite dinner.

And that stark reminder, right before we kill them, makes them even scarier.

For all their crimes, the worst monsters we've ever seen are just humans.

Very hungry humans.

Hey all you weirdos, welcome to the podcast original crime countdown.

I'm Ash, and I'm Elena.

Every week we'll highlight 10 fascinating stories of history's most engaging

and unsettling crimes, all picked by the podcast research gods.

This episode we're gonna be counting down the top 10 death row last meals.

Immediately, of course, you're gonna be like, what's your last meal?

Obviously, of course.

And my last meal would hands down.

Be every single thing on the menu at Alden and Harlow in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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