Quoted from an article about Cannibalism in the "New Scientist" 14 March 1998.

'The story of Alfred Packer, the first American to be convicted of cannibalism remains a classic. While prospecting for gold in Coloroado's San Juan mountains in 1873, Packer became trapped in a shack during a blizzard, and survived by eating his fellow prospectors. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment, although he served only 15.

"You are a low down depraved son of a bitch" the judge told him. "There were only seven Democrats in Hinsdale county, and you ate five of them." '