Edward Cowart

Edward D. Cowart (February 17, 1925 – August 3, 1987) was an American Judge (Dade County Circuit Court Judge).

He is best known as presiding judge at the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy, a one-time law student who was arrested for a series of murders from at least 1974 to 1978 and represented himself in court. Cowart imposed a death sentence, and is remembered for his sympathetic post-sentencing remarks to Bundy:^[1]^[2]

It is further ordered that on such scheduled date that you will be put to death by a current of electricity, sufficient to cause your immediate death and that current of electricity shall continue to be passed through your body until you are dead.

Take care of yourself, young man. I say that to you sincerely; take care of yourself, please. It is an utter tragedy for this court to see such a total waste of humanity as I’ve experienced in this courtroom.
You’re a bright young man. You would have made a good lawyer and I would have loved to have you practice in front of me, but you went another way, partner. Take care of yourself. I don’t feel any animosity toward you. I want you to know that. Once again, take care of yourself.
— Judge Edward Cowart^[1]

Before entering the judiciary, Cowart served as a Miami police officer. He sat on the bench for 14 years, earning wide respect among Florida lawyers. He was known for frequent biblical quotations in the courtroom.

Cowart died of a heart attack at the age of 62.^[2] Bundy was executed two years later in 1989.

References

1 2 Lundin, Leigh (August 22, 2010). "Last Words". Capital Punishment. Criminal Brief.
1 2 "Edward D. Cowart, 62, Judge In Florida Trial of Ted Bundy". The New York Times. New York City: New York Times Company. Associated Press. August 4, 1987. Retrieved January 31, 2010. After month long proceedings, Mr. Bundy was found guilty of murdering two female students at Florida State University. Judge Cowart sentenced him to death for "vile and heinous" crimes, then told him quietly: "You'd have made a good lawyer. I'd have loved to have you practice in front of me. But you went the wrong way, partner."

External links

Edward Cowart at Find a Grave

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[CB2-1] 1 2 Lundin, Leigh (August 22, 2010). "Last Words". Capital Punishment. Criminal Brief.

[NYT-2] 1 2 "Edward D. Cowart, 62, Judge In Florida Trial of Ted Bundy". The New York Times. New York City: New York Times Company. Associated Press. August 4, 1987. Retrieved January 31, 2010. After month long proceedings, Mr. Bundy was found guilty of murdering two female students at Florida State University. Judge Cowart sentenced him to death for "vile and heinous" crimes, then told him quietly: "You'd have made a good lawyer. I'd have loved to have you practice in front of me. But you went the wrong way, partner."