Prisons end last meal requests

Texas prison officials say they're stopping the practice of special last meals for inmates facing execution, after a state senator complained about an extensive request from a man involved in a notorious dragging death.

John Whitmire said he wanted the "ridiculous" and "inappropriate" practice ended or he'd seek a state statute banning it. Prisons director Brad Livingston agreed and said the practice was ending immediately. He said condemned inmates will get the same meal as other offenders.

The meal request from Lawrence Russell Brewer, who was executed Wednesday for the hate crime murder of James Byrd, included two chicken fried steaks, a bacon cheeseburger, a pound of barbecue meat, a pint of ice cream, a pizza and fudge.

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

AP