Death Row Inmate Wishes to Be 'Dead Man Laughing'

Texas Condemned Man Patrick Bryan Knight Wishes to 'Die Laughing'

Patrick B. Knight, a death row inmate in the Polunsky Unit in Hunstville Texas has an execution date of June 26. He has a strange request, however. He is asking that people send him jokes. Instead of being "Dead Man Walking," he wants to be known as "Dead Man Laughing."

In his own words, Patrick said "I'll be enjoying my last days on this earth. I'm not asking for any pen pals but I am asking you to spread the word that I am holding a contest. I want people to send me their best jokes, to keep me and the others with dates, laughing!" The best joke, which will be determined by the inmates on death watch and will be recited in my "Last Statement."

A Myspace page was created for Patrick named "Dead Man Laughing" and people are posting jokes on it. Patrick has 73 friends so far, and numerous cartoons and jokes. Most people appreciate that a condemned man has such a sense of humor, and chooses to "die laughing." Inmates do not have access to computers, and the page was created at his request by a friend. Music by Marvin Gaye is playing on the site, "What's Going On."

Knight was convicted in 1991 for the execution style murders of Walter and Mary Ann Werner. Knight lived in a trailer next to the elderly couple at the time of the murder, and was questioned by police. Knight eventually led the police to the location of the bodies. Codefendant in the case Robert Timothy Bradfield was sentenced to 2 life sentences and will be eligible for parole in the year 2009.

In January this year, Knight and approximately ten other inmates participated in a hunger strike at the Polunsky Unit in Texas to protest what he called the deplorable conditions the death row inmates endure. Knight was one of the last inmates to end the strike.

Knight will be executed on June 26, 2007 by lethal injection. Texas leads the nation in executions and has executed fourteen inmates. Eleven states had halted executions to review the method, lethal injection, to see if it may be cruel and unusual.

Jokes can be sent to Patrick B. Knight, #999072, Polunsky Unit, 3872 FM 350 South, Livingston, Texas 77351.