Who was the only person in the United States convicted of cannibalism?

worksafe

Alfred G. Packer The namesake of University of Colorado at Boulder's Alferd G. Packer Memorial Grill with the slogan "Have a friend for lunch!" and, yes, I have eaten there. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alferd_Packer Apr 10 07, 7:15 PM

peasypod

There is a difference between 'practicing' cannibalism and being 'convicted' of the crime. A lengthy list could probably be compiled but most would have been convicted of murder, which doesn't answer the question. Despite movie/musical recognition, Packer was convicted of the "premeditated murder of Israel Swan" and, "Contrary to many stories told years later, and even today, Packer was never charged with, tried for, or convicted of cannibalism, or crimes related to cannibalism." http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/history/alfred_packer/6.html Apr 10 07, 7:36 PM

zbeckabee

Peasy is correct. There were no laws against cannibalism, thus, Packer was charged with Manslaughter. In Colorado...you can eat people...you just can't kill them. http://www.nndb.com/people/668/000115323/ Apr 10 07, 9:32 PM

queproblema

I was just now googling this and discovered most of the claims of Packer's conviction stem from the movie/musical Peasy mentioned. Then I found this one: http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question62110.html I could simply say, "See #62110." Apr 10 07, 10:11 PM

star_gazer

Cannabilism is a crime, manslaughter is just worse which is usually required before eating the victim. Cannibalism is an abuse of a corpse which is definitely a crime. Apr 11 07, 2:46 AM

zbeckabee

Read the book A. W. Brian Simpson's "Cannibalism and the Common Law" (1954). Cannibalism as such has nothing to do with the law. It was not illegal in either the United States or Britain, and the legal issue is killing, not eating. http://mywebpage.netscape.com/percylambert/Peginav.Dudley.html Apr 11 07, 9:25 AM