PENALTY PAID.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18364, 23 April 1925, Page 9

PENALTY PAID.

THORNE EXECUTED.

SMILES ON SCAFFOLD. fjlY CABLE—PEEBS ASSOCIATION— COPYBIGHT.) (reuter's TtlXQZi.ua.) (Received April 23rd, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 22. Thorne was executed at Wandsworth gaol. A smile- played on his features whilst the warders were pinioning his arms. He walked to the scaffold quietly and firmly. Thorne, senior, in a farewell letter to his son, said:—'-Keep brave and steadfast. Your friends cannot think of you as a murderer. AVe have lull assurance that we shall meet you in heaven, where there will be no more partings or sorrow, and our tears will be wiped away. God grant you a glorious entry into the heavenly kingdom, where your dear mother is waiting to welcome you." Thorne, senior, interviewed, said that perhaps his son's death would help others and might make the public pause and think what a terrible thing the death penalty is, if only because mistakes cannot bo rectified. He did not wish to say harsh things, but did not think there had been fair play. Perhaps a question would be raised .in the House of Commons. The Home Secretary has written to Thome's solicitor stating that before he announced the refusal of a reprieve he personally read the full transcript ot the whole proceedings in every Court from day to day in his anxiety that nothing that could be said on the prisoner's behalf should Jiot be given due weight. He coniarrcd with the Chioi Justice regarding the whole case and he regretted after examination from every point of view that he could find no reason to advise interfering with the sentence.