Texas Inmate Denied Last Meal Due to Previous Prisoner’s Outrageous Order

The state of Texas has made a significant change to its policy regarding death row inmates’ last meals, all thanks to a previous prisoner’s outrageous final request. Lawrence Russell Brewer, a murderer executed in 2011, ordered an extravagant feast for his last meal but didn’t eat any of it, essentially mocking the system.

As a result of Brewer’s actions, Texas no longer allows death row inmates to choose their final meal. Ivan Cantu, a 50-year-old inmate on death row in Texas, was the latest to be affected by this new rule. Cantu, who was executed on Wednesday evening, was denied his chosen final meal and instead received whatever was on the menu for all prisoners.

Cantu, who maintained his innocence, was accused of shooting and killing his cousin and a 21-year-old woman, as well as stealing jewelry and a car. Despite his claims of innocence, Cantu’s execution proceeded as scheduled.

The change in policy was prompted by State Senator John Whitmire, who was outraged by Brewer’s mockery of the system with his excessive last meal request. Whitmire argued that it was inappropriate to give a person sentenced to death such a privilege, and pushed for an end to the tradition of special last meals for death row inmates.

While Cantu’s case garnered attention from social justice groups and even caught the eye of celebrity Kim Kardashian, who advocated for a postponement of his execution, the efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Cantu’s execution proceeded as planned, highlighting the controversial and emotional nature of the death penalty in the United States.