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225 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+217honestly, this is a pretty cool move. henceforth, whenever i feel down, i'm calling dominos and having a pizza delivered to a homeless shelter.
- jsg7, on 10/12/2007, -6/+214Somehow I don't think the 1 pizza that he asked to be delivered would have been a tax burden for the government (cheaper than had he asked for a lobster dinner for himself). And I'm a Nashvillian who is glad this has gotten such publicity...
- gardnmi, on 10/12/2007, -5/+136@douggmc
I'm not saying the guy was Innocent but supposedly his case was pretty controversial.
http://www.justicedenied.org/philip.htm - jamesgott, on 10/12/2007, -11/+120thats a lot of pizza
- Nougat, on 10/12/2007, -5/+101@douggmc (#6617620)
An act of generosity deserves notice and praise, regardless of who it was performed by, or what actions - good or bad - they've made in the past. - vulcanius, on 10/12/2007, -16/+94@ Everyone
Feel free to digg me down to get rid of the super long comment.
@ doug
These people were also convicted. They were also later exonerated and proven to be wrongfully convicted. People change you prick.
Last - First - State - Conviction Year - Exoneration Year
Abdal Habib Wahir NY 1983 1999
Adams Kenneth IL 1979 1996
Alejandro Gilbert TX 1990 1994
Alexander Richard IN 1998 2001
Anderson Marvin VA 1982 2002
Atkins Herman CA 1988 2000
Avery Steven WI 1985 2003
Bauer Chester MT 1983 1997
Beaver Antonio MO 1997 2007
Bibbins Gene LA 1987 2003
Bloodsworth Kirk MD 1985 1993
Booker Donte OH 1987 2005
Boquete Orlando FL 1983 2006
Bradford Marcellius IL 1988 2001
Bravo Mark Diaz CA 1990 1994
Briscoe Johnny MO 1983 2006
Brison Dale PA 1990 1994
Bromgard Jimmy Ray MT 1987 2002
Brown Dennis LA 1985 2005
Brown Danny OH 1982 2001
Brown Roy NY 1992 2007
Bullock Ronnie IL 1984 1994
Butler A.B. TX 1983 2000
Byrd Kevin TX 1985 1997
Callace Leonard NY 1987 1992
Capozzi Anthony NY 1987 2007
Chalmers Terry NY 1987 1995
Charles Clyde LA 1982 1999
Charles Ulysses Rodriguez MA 1984 2001
Clark Robert GA 1982 2005
Coco Allen LA 1997 2006
Cotton Ronald NC 1987 1995
Cowans Stephan MA 1998 2004
Criner Roy TX 1990 2000
Cromedy McKinley NJ 1994 1999
Crotzer Alan FL 1981 2006
Cruz Rolando IL 1985 1995
Dabbs Charles NY 1984 1991
Danziger Richard TX 1990 2002
Davidson Willie VA 1981 2005
Davis Dewey WV 1987 1995
Davis Gerald WV 1987 1995
Daye Frederick CA 1984 1994
Dedge Wilton FL 1982 2004
Deskovic Jeff NY 1990 2006
Diaz Luis FL 1980 2005
Dixon John NJ 1991 2001
Dominguez Alejandro IL 1990 2002
Doswell Thomas PA 1986 2005
Dotson Gary IL 1979 1989
Durham Timothy OK 1993 1997
Echols Douglas GA 1987 2002
Elkins Clarence OH 1999 2005
Erby Lonnie MO 1986 2003
Evans Michael IL 1977 2003
Fain Charles Irvin ID 1983 2001
Fappiano Scott NY 1985 2006
Fountain Wiley TX 1986 2003
Fritz Dennis OK 1988 1999
Fuller Larry TX 1981 2007
Godschalk Bruce PA 1987 2002
Gonzalez Hector NY 1996 2002
Good Donald Wayne TX 1984 2004
Goodman Bruce Dallas UT 1986 2004
Gossett Andrew TX 2000 2007
Gray Anthony MD 1991 1999
Gray Paula IL 1978 2002
Gray David A. IL 1978 1999
Green Anthony Michael OH 1988 2001
Green Kevin CA 1980 1996
Green Edward DC 1990 1990
Gregory William KY 1993 2000
Halstead Dennis NY 1987 2005
Harris William O’Dell WV 1987 1995
Harrison Clarence GA 1987 2004
Hayes Travis LA 1998 2007
Henton Eugene TX 1984 2006
Hernandez Alejandro IL 1985 1995
Hicks Anthony WI 1991 1997
Holdren Larry WV 1985 2000
Holland Dana IL 1993 2003
Honaker Edward VA 1985 1994
Hunt Darryl NC 1985 2004
Jackson Willie LA 1989 2006
Jean Lesly NC 1982 2001
Jimerson Verneal IL 1985 1996
Johnson Albert CA 1992 2002
Johnson Richard IL 1992 1996
Johnson Larry MO 1984 2002
Johnson Calvin GA 1983 1999
Jones Joe KS 1986 1992
Jones Ronald IL 1989 1999
Jones David Allen CA 1995 2004
Karage Entre Nax TX 1997 2005
Kogut John NY 1986 2005
Kordonowy Paul D. MT 1990 2003
Kotler Kerry NY 1982 1992
Krone Ray AZ 1992 2002
Laughman Barry PA 1988 2004
Lavernia Carlos TX 1985 2000
Linscott Steven IL 1982 1992
Lloyd Eddie Joe MI 1985 2002
Lowery Eddie James KS 1982 2003
Mahan Dale AL 1986 1998
Mahan Ronnie AL 1986 1998
Maher Dennis MA 1984 2003
Matthews Ryan LA 1999 2004
Mayes Larry IN 1982 2001
McCray Antron NY 1990 2002
McGee Arvin OK 1989 2002
McMillan Clark TN 1980 2002
McSherry Leonard CA 1988 2001
Mercer Michael NY 1992 2003
Miller Neil MA 1990 2000
Miller Robert OK 1988 1998
Miller Jerry IL 1982 2007
Miller Billy Wayne TX 1984 2006
Mitchell Perry SC 1984 1998
Mitchell Marvin MA 1990 1997
Moon Brandon TX 1988 2005
Moto Vincent PA 1987 1996
Mumphrey Arthur TX 1986 2006
Nelson Bruce PA 1982 1991
Nesmith Willie PA 1982 2000
Newton Alan NY 1985 2006
Ochoa Christopher TX 1989 2002
Ochoa James CA 2005 2006
Ollins Larry IL 1988 2001
Ollins Calvin IL 1988 2001
Ortiz Victor NY 1984 1996
O’Donnell James NY 1998 2000
Pendleton Marlon IL 1996 2006
Peterson Larry NJ 1989 2006
Pierce Jeffrey OK 1986 2001
Piszczek Brian OH 1991 1994
Pope David Shawn TX 1986 2001
Powell Anthony MA 1992 2004
Rainge Willie IL 1979 1996
Restivo John NY 1987 2005
Reynolds Donald IL 1988 1997
Richardson James WV 1989 1999
Richardson Kevin NY 1990 2002
Robinson Anthony TX 1987 2000
Rodriguez George TX 1987 2005
Rollins Lafonso IL 1994 2004
Rose Peter CA 1996 2005
Ruffin Julius VA 1982 2003
Saecker Frederic WI 1990 1996
Salaam Yusef NY 1990 2002
Salazar Ben TX 1992 1997
Santana Raymond NY 1990 2002
Sarsfield Eric MA 1987 2000
Saunders Omar IL 1988 2001
Scott Calvin Lee OK 1983 2003
Scott Samuel GA 1987 2002
Scruggs Dwayne IN 1986 1993
Shephard David NJ 1984 1995
Smith Walter D. OH 1986 1996
Smith Billy James TX 1987 2006
Smith Frank Lee FL 1986 2000
Snyder Walter VA 1986 1993
Sutherlin David Brian MN 1985 2002
Sutton Josiah TX 1999 2004
Terry Paul IL 1977 2003
Thomas Victor Larue TX 1986 2002
Thurman Phillip Leon VA 1985 2005
Tillman James CT 1989 2006
Toney Steven MO 1983 1996
Townsend Jerry Frank FL Various 2001
Turner Keith E. TX 1983 2005
Vasquez David VA 1985 1989
Velasquez Eduardo MA 1988 2001
Villasana Armand MO 1999 2000
Waller James TX 1983 2007
Wallis Gregory TX 1989 2007
Wardell Billy IL 1988 1997
Warney Douglas NY 1997 2006
Washington Calvin TX 1987 2001
Washington Earl VA 1984 2000
Waters Kenneth MA 1983 2001
Waters Leo NC 1982 2005
Watkins Jerry IN 1986 2000
Webb Thomas OK 1983 1996
Webb Troy VA 1989 1996
Webb Mark TX 1987 2001
Webster Bernard MD 1983 2002
Whitfield Arthur Lee VA 1982 2004
Whitley Drew PA 1989 2006
Williams Michael Anthony LA 1981 2005
Williams Dennis IL 1979 1996
Williams Willie GA 1985 2007
Williamson Ron OK 1988 1999
Willis Calvin LA 1982 2003
Willis John IL 1993 1999
Wise Kharey NY 1990 2002
Woodall Glen WV 1987 1992
Woods Anthony D. MO 1984 2005
Wyniemko Kenneth MI 1994 2003
Yarris Nicholas PA 1982 2003
Youngblood Larry AZ 1985 2000 - davidsmero, on 10/12/2007, -5/+81"Um yeah...We want to send 150 pizza's to the homless shelter."
Sounds like a prank. - Cerialthriller, on 10/12/2007, -5/+68first of all they arent even sure if he killed anyone. he was involved in an altercation with police that resulted in an officer dying. The key witness admitted that he lied and didn't see him shoot anyone. It was known that this guys gun went off one time accidentally as he was struck in the head by an officer. But cops also fired and there was reason to believe his bullet wasnt even the one that hit the cop. Does he need to be punished? Of course, he was responcible, but not of first degree murder. Manslaughter would have been a much more appropriate thing to charge him with unless it was proven that he had fired the gun and killed the officer.
- gllopc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+57"I was like, 'Wow, Jesus!'"
Wait - Jesus delivered the pizzas? He CAN do anything! - fkr3, on 10/12/2007, -5/+59Um ... it's too late for publicity after you're dead.
- spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -15/+68"Why are we celebrating a meaningless move of "generosity" by a man who has been convicted of murdering a police officer?"
I dugg this comment but not for the reason specified.
Do we really need an excuse to be charitable? I'll repeat my comment I left yesterday:
The next time you're at a restaurant and you take 1/8 of your meal home in a doggie bag, why not give it to a homeless person instead? It will mean so much to them. - evilTak, on 10/12/2007, -4/+56No, he didn't.
- swooshonln, on 10/12/2007, -1/+49Little caesars has one topping large pizza's for $5
- dreicher, on 10/12/2007, -6/+48@gardnmi
"Vegetarian Pizza? I'd be pissed if I was homeless."
Most likely, the inmate specified vegetarian because he did not eat pork (or as a courtesy to those that don't) for religious reasons. - REDBLIND, on 10/12/2007, -0/+41@orxor
Living in San Francisco, I agree with you. Most homeless do not want your left over food, just your money. I've offered my left overs walking home from dinner and most of the time they are so picky they won't take it or they just give you *****. Just because someone is homeless does not mean they are nice people and deserve your charity.
If you really want to help the homeless don't give them anything. Instead donate to an organization or volunteer your time at a shelter. - orxor, on 10/12/2007, -13/+54@spyrochaete
"The next time you're at a restaurant and you take 1/8 of your meal home in a doggie bag, why not give it to a homeless person instead? It will mean so much to them"
ORLY? I guess that one time I gave half a hero to a homeless guy only to see him throw it away without even looking what it was (it was a damn good sandwich) didn't count. Or the other time when a homeless guy asked me for money for food, in a deli and I replied with, well what would you like? I'll buy it for you. Only to have him reply "well can I have $5 instead?" ............"Ummm no." - futureb, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39this reminds me of a story:
i was studying in london some years back and we ordered pizza at school one night. we had extra, so this dumb-as- girl decides it would be great to deliver this pizza to a "homeless person." so she proceeds to walk through Hyde Park looking for a homeless person. she sees someone sitting on a bench matching her mental image of a homeless person, and the conversation goes something like this:
girl: "Hi. I just wanted to give you this to eat."
regular guy: "Umm, I'm not hungry."
girl: "Well, we wanted you to have this."
regular guy: "Seriously, I don't want it."
girl: "ok, I understand that you may feel bad about taking it. so I'm just going to leave it over here. when I'm gone, you can have it, ok?"
regular guy: "..."
girl: "i'm going to leave it right over here by the trash can, ok?"
regular guy: "..." - centerblack, on 10/12/2007, -1/+34From what I read, Brutal Murderer is not the phrase I would use to describe this guy. None of the ballistics experts who examined the body think the bullet came from his gun. From what I've read, it sounds like another officer accidentally shot Lt. Oliver, and they used Workman to hide the truth.
- spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -4/+36This is a great story because the inmate's guilt was dubious. His execution was postponed repeatedly because he appealed and disqualified fraudulent and circumstantial evidence proving him to be the murderer. It's a strange story with all kinds of twists and turns.
If it takes a retard to find such a story interesting then tie on a bib and stick me on the short bus. - whiledo, on 03/25/2009, -2/+34@orxor
It's shocking, but homeless people are still PEOPLE. As such, they're all different. Judging on such a small sample size makes about as much sense as a white guy deciding all black people are criminals because whenever they see a criminal it's a black person. Or a black person deciding all white people are serial killers for similar reasons.
I imagine leftovers are trickier, as most societies have a taboo about eating after another person. I know I wouldn't finish a sandwich that by BROTHER had half-eaten.
But one time I was visiting another city and was carrying home a large portion of leftovers (damn those giant-sized portions). It had been on a platter so the part I ate was first dished out onto my plate. Anyway, I realized on the way back to the hotel that I had no refrigerator (not even a mini-bar), much less a microwave. So I swung by an intersection, rolled down the window and offered it to a guy panhandling. He was very appreciative and thanked me. While waiting on the lights to change, I watched him go over across the street, get another pandhandler and go with him to the steps of a nearby building, where they both started digging in as I drove off.
On the other hand, I have NEVER had a panhandler not take an offer to buy them a meal. I've not even had one who is surly about it, and I've probably done it about a dozen times by now. I'm sure those people are out there, but I haven't run into them yet. They've always accepted and thanked me for it. So don't give up and write people off as being all alike. - deadsenator, on 10/12/2007, -1/+28Is He a vegi-pizza guy or a meat-lover?
What Would Jesus Deliver? - spraguep, on 10/12/2007, -4/+31Go ***** yourself.
No one said he was a wonderful person. However you seem to have a total disregard for human life in general. There is nothing wrong with someone trying to do something nice before they die. - Kr4t05, on 10/12/2007, -4/+30@ douggmc
Just because he was a "scumbag," doesn't mean he couldn't have at least felt somewhat guilty for what he did. Plenty of people make mistakes and come to terms with that mistake while on death row. While I'm not saying that an act of kindness would forgive the crime he was executed for. But, c'mon, take a compassion pill and be glad that people are at least doing something for the benefit of others, regardless of the cause.
I dunno... Maybe I'm just trying too hard to find good in others... I guess that's why I don't fit in with the rest of the cynics. - gshipley, on 10/12/2007, -20/+46Brutal murderer dead? Check.
Homeless get pizza? Check.
Brutal murderer denied attempt to clear his conscience at the last minute? Check.
Taxpayers don't have to pick up the tab? Check.
That worked out well for everyone! - scootscr15, on 10/12/2007, -4/+27$8 ***
Sorry for hitting a zero, I really want to know where I can access an $8 pizza =] - pizzatsf, on 10/12/2007, -8/+31It was all a conspiracy.
- emt1451, on 10/12/2007, -5/+28I wonder if he knew about this before he was executed...
- centerblack, on 10/12/2007, -3/+26There's actually a lot of controversy regarding this case, at least according to this site:
http://www.justicedenied.org/philip.htm
He was sentenced to death for killing a police officer. Some ballistics experts found that the officers wound couldn't have been made by this guys gun, but their testimony wasn't allowed. - violentk, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24@gshipley
I doubt if his last wish would have been granted it would have 'cleared his conscience'
Also, I'm not sure why you think giving someone's meal to someone else is a burden on Tax dollars.
Look at the money it takes to run a prison, this last request wouldnt have made a dent in the millions it takes to run a prison. Y'know what would help out the taxpayers? Not putting thousands of people in prison for drugs.
99% of your taxes are spent on things you wouldnt condone - aristoworks, on 10/12/2007, -3/+24"what do you want on your tombstone?" - Warden
"Pepperoni and Olives" - Inmate - richardhenry, on 10/12/2007, -5/+25Follow up from Vulcanius' post...
This is a little off-topic, but I fail to see the point in executing anyone. Over here in the UK we used to have the death penalty, but it was abolished in 1965. You know what's changed in the murder rate since then?
Absolutely nothing.
97% of murders are committed as 'crimes of passion' (in the heat of the moment) - this is true of both the UK and the US. And there have been so many people whom after their death have been proven innocent. - spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -3/+22"I guess that one time I gave half a hero to a homeless guy only to see him throw it away without even looking what it was (it was a damn good sandwich) didn't count."
I don't know which of your invisible friends is judging you but he's a real jerk. Of course that act of kindness counts.
I'm not necessarily calling for all of mankind to go out of their way to accommodate the homeless. I just think it's nice if you have a little something on your person that you don't really need, to give it to someone who might. Whether that little something is food, a drink, money, gloves, a bus token, or whatever, is irrelevant. - centerblack, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19From what I read, ballistics experts who examined the body believe that the fatal wound could not have been made by Workman's gun. One of the cops denied having fired a shotgun, yet Workman had shot gun wounds on his ass. The officers exit wound was smaller than the entry wound. Workmans pistol was loaded with silver hollow tip bullets, which expand when they hit a target. No evidence of the bullet fragmenting were found.
- spyrochaete, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17Yesterday's Digg story on this subject said that ballistics matched the guns used by the police, so it was probably friendly fire.
- next, on 10/12/2007, -4/+20douggmc:
http://www.justicedenied.org/philip.htm
There's apparently some evidence of police misconduct in the case. And the guy claimed that his gun discharged involuntarily after he was hit, which I read in the original article posted a few days ago, I believe.
That and, obviously, 25+ years later, maybe the guy has pulled himself together and realized he made a mistake? That doesn't make him less guilty (if he is, indeed, guilty), but it also doesn't mean he's worthless and can't do something nice that's within his power before he dies. Obviously, capital punishment isn't enough. We need to socially outcast a dead man while we're at it.
Also, douggmc, you can call him a scumbag all you wish, but it simply portrays you as an *****. Get over yourself, and if you have a ***** criticism about the support given to this guy's last request, at least make a rational argument instead of name-calling and making a pathetic attempt at acting tough. - darkstar949, on 10/12/2007, -3/+19First off, as some other posters have pointed out - there is ballistics evidence that his gun was likely not the one that shot the fatal bullet, which means that even though he was guilty of a crime (i.e. armed robbery) there is reasonable doubt that he didn't commit murder. Second off - there was no reason for the state to deny his last request - the request was inexpensive in terms of the cost of the pizza.
Finally, regardless of his motivations for the request - the fact that people did a "Hey, wait a minute..." is a good thing. Maybe because of this more people will start donating time and money to help the homeless and those less fortunate than themselves. The idea that helping those less fortunate than yourself is a good one, so it really shouldn't matter who put forth the idea. - chris9902, on 10/12/2007, -6/+22channnnnnge
- dreicher, on 10/12/2007, -3/+19@doug
So, you are of the mind that feeding a homeless person is not a good use of taxpayer money? - dancenhance, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18This act of kindness makes my day. It's a shame the state refused his request, but it's encouraging to see the public respond.
- tvh2k, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20The state official who turned down his request must feel like an idiot now.
- violentk, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17I dont understand the rage.
The guy is dead, thats right... dead. They're not going to make him a saint either.
Anyhow, people heard of a deathrow inmate doing an unselfish thing before he was to be executed and thought, so the government cant give a pizza to a homeless person, that sucks.
People didnt give pizza to honor the criminal. They gave pizza because they thought it was a reasonable request to buy dinner for a homeless person.
Why do you view this as some selfish act? The guy is dead, he isnt going to benefite from this in hell. No one will remeber this guy in a week. There will be no monument built for this man. Homeless people have pizza, some folks who donated feel good about. We should all feel pretty good about it in fact. - runxctry, on 10/12/2007, -3/+18We should declare May 9th Workman's Pizza Day... every May 9th, people should order a pizza for their local homeless shelter.
- darkstar949, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15@matthewmok - I haven't gone out and counted, but others have and the research into mental illness rates in homeless is readily available [1][2], and the causes of homelessness is pretty straight forward as well [3][4]. The bottom line is that most homeless do not stay homeless for long, and of the ones that do there are typically aggravating factors involved such as mental illness.
[1]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050201101738.htm
[2]http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=mental+illness+homeless&btnG=Search
[3]http://www.homelessagency.ie/about_homelessness/causes.html
[4]http://anitraweb.org/homelessness/faqs/causes/index.html - bIuebonics, on 10/12/2007, -3/+16@dougmc "Your opinion is totally off."
yea, no it isn't. how about you look up the definition of opinion. also, part of your qualm seems to be the use of taxpayer money. the only rational explanation for that would be that you'd rather have your tax money go towards feeding a person who's about to be put to death rather than have that meal displaced towards someone who isn't. so logically, if it's a problem with tax payers' money, you'd rather be feeding a murderer than feeding a homeless person. wow. - RonaldLovegood, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13It's horrible how everything it's analyzed in a negative way.
The homeless: are lazy bastards who don't want to work.
Workman: was a scumbag who had an agenda (right, just as he was about to die).
The dead cop: was a hero who got murdered by the evil dude.
Donating pizza: is wrong, a waste of time, bad for the taxpayers, other selfish reasons.
What sad, sad mentalities...
People are completely missing the point. The point was to make something good out of something bad. The government denied that to a man who was about to die and had nothing to gain from it. And it wouldn't have cost anything to the State if they fulfilled his last wish. It was just a pizza. But, to be honest, I'm glad they didn't do it, the selfish people who had that retarded mentality that I pointed out before, got really owned by the people who was kind enough to donate.
No one forgets that he (supposedly) killed a cop, and that he would die. No one said he was a saint. What people really saw was someone being denied of helping someone else. And they decided to help others.
It's a wonderful story. - eatsushi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14what if he was 31 mins late? does he still charge you, or would you put up a fight with Jesus to get the free pizza? Personally I would fight him b/c I got a couple of questions I'd like to ask him after we're done...
- evilTak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15Or Cici's - all you can eat for $4.
- joeyjojo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12"Watch homeless feast on piles of pizza"
CNN...I do remember there was a time I respected you as a news organzation... - stylerm, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13I forgot that in dreamland everyone owns a house and doesn't rent an apartment.
- darkstar949, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14Not all homeless are lazy - most are regular people that have fallen into bad times for one reason or another (i.e. Hurricane Katrina destroyed their house) and are trying to pick themselves back up; plus, some are suffering from mental illness. Just because someone is homeless doesn't make them a lazy bum.
-
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