Edward Cowart

Who is Edward Cowart?

Edward D. Cowart was an American lawyer. He is best known as presiding judge at the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy in 1979, where he imposed a death sentence. Cowart is remembered for his sentencing, which included these words:

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.

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

Judge Cowart died of a heart attack at the age of 62. Bundy was executed two years later in 1989.