End to death row last meal

IT IS a tradition that can be traced far back in history: Before being put to death, a condemned prisoner can choose his last meal.

Not so anymore in Texas.

Officials there have stopped the practice after Senator John Whitmire complained about a hefty request from Lawrence Russell Brewer — executed for his role in the dragging death of James Byrd Jr.

Among his requests were two chicken fried steaks, a triple-meat bacon cheeseburger, fajitas, pizza and a pint of ice cream.

Prison officials said Brewer didn’t eat any of it.

Brad Livingston, the executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said the practice of allowing offenders to choose their final meal was now history.