Institutional Diet Log // Case Record

Peter Anthony Miniel

Analysis of the 2004 Huntsville execution, criminal history, and the notable, large-scale final meal protocol.

Peter Anthony Miniel was convicted for the 1986 murder of Manuel Villarreal during a robbery at his home in Houston, Texas. Miniel and an accomplice beat and strangled Villarreal before fleeing with stereo equipment and other personal items.

He was executed by lethal injection at the Huntsville Unit in Texas on October 6, 2004.

Miniel is historically noted for submitting one of the most extensive and calorie-dense final meal requests in the history of the Texas prison system:

• 20 beef tacos and 20 beef enchiladas
• Two double cheeseburgers
• A pizza with jalapeños
• Fried chicken
• Spaghetti
• Half of a chocolate cake and half of a vanilla cake
• Cookies and cream ice cream and caramel pecan fudge ice cream
• Fruit cake
• Assorted beverages: 2 Coca-Colas, 2 Pepsis, 2 root beers, and 2 orange sodas

The sheer volume of Miniel’s request has led to his case being frequently cited in analyses of death row inmate behavior and “extreme gluttony” prior to execution. His request highlights the era of Texas death row policy where inmates were permitted to order virtually any combination of food available within the facility’s procurement capabilities.