Ricky Ray Rector
Capital Murder
Arkansas, USA
American
1981
Capital Execution
EXECUTED (1992)
Ricky Ray Rector was convicted of the 1981 murder of Arthur Ray Simpson and the subsequent murder of Police Officer Robert Martin. After shooting Officer Martin, Rector turned his gun on himself, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound that caused severe brain damage.
His execution in 1992 became a landmark legal case, sparking national debate regarding the execution of individuals with severe mental impairments and diminished capacity resulting from traumatic brain injury.
Rector’s final meal request became historically notable due to his cognitive state:
- Fried chicken
- Steak
- Cherry Kool-Aid
- Pecan pie
Rector consumed the steak and chicken but left the pecan pie untouched on his tray. When questioned by guards about the pie, he reportedly stated that he was “saving it for later,” a remark frequently highlighted by commentators as evidence of his limited understanding of the reality of his pending execution.
