Death Row inmate’s execution delayed by request for Septemberfest Rotary Hash as his last meal
By: Mark Wayne, Lead Investigative Reporter
Date: September 1, 2022
A Federal Judge has issued a stay of execution for a Lawrence County native, Elias K. Moles, in order to grant the convicted murder’s last meal request. The convicted murderer requested to have Rotary Hash, a Bahama Momma, and lemonade from his hometown’s fall festival known as the Septemberfest, as his last meal.
Elias K. Moles was tried and convicted for the murder of a Prestonsburg girl, Shirley Harrison, in 1972. Shirley Harrison, age 17, was found under the old Louisa-Fort Gay Bridge on the banks of the Levisa Fork River. The investigation was headed up by another Louisa native, Bart Tomlinson, who was one of the Kentucky State Police’s first major homicide investigator.
Elias K. Moles stated about his request, “I was going to ask for Whistle Stop Café because I liked the way it sounded, but apparently that place has been closed for a while. The news is a little slow here on Death Row. Anyway, I’ve heard everyone who comes to visit me talk about the Rotary Hash and the Bahama Mama from Septemberfest, so I just knew I had to try it before I die.”
The Federal Judge released a statement saying that Elias K. Moles has found religion whilst in prison and converted to being a Southern Baptist. In the statement the judge mentioned how eating is a religious experience for many Baptists, so she felt delaying Elias K. Moles’ execution to allow for this final religious experience of gorging himself on Septemberfest food was justified. The Judge’s ruling is in line with many recent judiciary rulings expressing greater religious tolerance, provided it’s for one of the true forms of Christianity and not one of the other religions like Islam, Hinduism, or Zoroastrianism.
Elias K. Moles will be executed on September 10th following his last meal. There has been no word on if the Federal Judge will grant the inmate’s request for execution by being ran over by the Hillbilly Choo Choo during the Saturday morning parade.
Time Out From Comedy:
This article was inspired by the true story of Muriel Baldridge, a 17-year old High School cheerleader from Prestonsburg, KY who was murdered in 1949. The case remains unsolved and is considered one of the most bizarre and confounding cases in the history of Eastern Kentucky. Several people from Louisa feature in the tale of Muriel Baldridge, including Arch Thompson who was one of the Kentucky State Police’s first investigators.
If you want to know more about this story, or you like true crime books, I high recommend checking out Murder in the Mountains: The Muriel Baldridge Story written by Michael Crisp.
-
Vioganni’s renovation accidentally destroys beloved Louisa cultural relics
The Vioganni’s renovation accidentally led to the destruction of UNESCO protected cultural relics thought to be original to the town of Louisa.
-
Septemberfest pleased to announce return of the drunk Hillbilly Choo Choo driver for this year’s Bicentennial Celebration
The Septemberfest Committee is pleased to announce a return of its famed driver, with additional safety precautions in place.
-
Fallsburg Falls Campground in talks to be sold to Sandals Resorts International
Sandals Resorts International is looking to acquire Fallsburg Falls Campground in order to create a new type of luxury resort by combining all-inclusive luxury amenities and the homespun delights of Colonial Williamsburg.