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Long-time Indianapolis journalist Tim Swarens was one of the lucky few to score a ringside seat to Ted Bundy’s execution.
30 years after Bundy met his fate, Swarens is sharing the details of what he witnessed on that happy day in January of 1989, and speaking out against the favorable light in which the now deep-fried and deceased Bundy is being cast by a new series at Netflix.
The Daily Beast just published an article from Swarens in which he condemns the streaming giant, but more importantly, shares all the savory fun of Bundy’s final moments.
“Ted Bundy jerked back, appearing startled, when he first saw the electric chair inside the execution chamber at the Florida State Prison,” Swarens says in the piece.
As final preparations for his death were made, Bundy peered through a Plexiglas window at the witnesses who faced him. “It’s all right,” he said.
At 7:05, Bundy was asked if he had any last words. He looked at his attorney, Jim Coleman, and a Methodist pastor, Fred Lawrence, sitting among the witnesses. “Jim and Fred, I’d like you to give my love to my family and friends,” Bundy said.
Then a leather strap was tightened across Bundy’s chin. A metal cap was placed on his head. His face was covered with a black, leather veil.
Prison Superintendent Tom Barton spoke briefly by phone with Gov. Bob Martinez. Barton then nodded to a black-hooded executioner standing behind a partition.
The anonymous executioner, paid $150 for the job, pushed a button.
Bundy’s head jerked as 2,000 volts hit him. His body stiffened and pressed against the chair back.
Midway through the two-minute cycle, the executioner turned off the current. Bundy’s body slumped against the leather straps.
Swarens description of Bundy’s final moments is utterly heart-wrenching for those who were unable to score seats at the serial killer’s execution. Ticketmaster was the 800lb gorilla of ‘live’ events in 1989, but executions simply weren’t available as part of their winter concert series that year. Wrestling and Billy Joel’s “Storm Front” tour, yes, but not Bundy getting cooked in one of death row’s finest pieces of handcrafted furniture.
There are no videos of the bastard’s execution available at the Indianapolis Public Library. Even more tragic, there were no smart phones in 1989 to buoy hopes that a “leaked video” might someday find its way online.
Instead, the American people are forced to read Swaren’s description and imagine for themselves the pleasing sights and sounds of brutal psychopath Bundy getting slowly zapped to death.
Can you imagine the glorious symphony of sound as the electricity pulsed through Bundy’s body for a full two minutes, slowly cooking his flesh and organs like a giant june bug trapped in an electrified pest lamp? The intensity of the rhythmic percussion caused by his limbs whacking against the chair as he flailed about?
“Boom, chucka-chucka, boom-boom-ZAP! Boom, chucka-chucka, ZAP-ZAP, WHACK!”
My God, it must have been truly magnificent!
Oh, what I would have given to have been there in person. Hell, I’d have been sending out postcards from the execution chamber to my friends and family: “Having a wonderful time! Wish you were here!”
Tim Swarens is right; it is utterly repulsive and gross that Netflix has chosen to glorify Ted Bundy’s crimes and portray him as some handsome, bad boy who took things a little too far. The long-time Indy journalist is right to condemn the streaming giant.
Further, it is absolutely unacceptable that in the year 2019, live executions are not being offered by ANY of the streaming services. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime continue to crank out artistic drivel when we could all be enjoying “Popcorn and Punishment” on Friday nights.
My friends, it’s time for the American people to come together for a greater cause. Call your streaming provider today and DEMAND they add public executions to their lineup.
Further, please enjoy the following segment from the Chicks on the Right:
