Gary Gilmore Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Gary Gilmore (December 4, 1940 - January 17, 1977) was the first person legally put to death for murder in the United States since 1967. His execution ended an unofficial moratorium on executions in the U.S. that began in 1967 and was backed by a 1972 Supreme Court ban on capital punishment (the ban was lifted in 1976). Gilmore was convicted of killing a motel manager in Provo, Utah; he had also been charged with murdering a gas station employee in Orem, Utah, the previous day, but that case never went to trial.He was shot by a firing squad after angrily telling his lawyers to drop the appeals they had filed in defiance of his wishes. Gilmore had spent 18 of his last 21 years in jail and prison; he wanted the justice process hurried along. During his wait, Gilmore attempted suicide twice while in prison. The execution was stayed three times. Gilmore's last words were "let's do it".
Gilmore requested that, following his execution, his eyes be used for transplant purposes. Within hours of the execution, two people received his corneas, inspiring the British punk rock band The Adverts to write and release "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" later that year.
Gary Gilmore's story is documented in Norman Mailer's non-fictional novel The Executioner's Song (1979).
Gilmore's brother Mikal wrote a memoir, Shot In The Heart, that chronicles his relationship with Gary, and their often troubled family history.
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