THE DEATH PENALTY

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1920, Page 3

THE DEATH PENALTY

THORNE DENIED MURDER. Irsn CHESS ASSOCIATION’.— JPYRIGHT.j WELLINGTON, December 20.

Samuel John Thorne convicted of the murder of Eyre on August 24th., was hanged at Mount Eden Gaol this morning.

On the scaffold he thanked the warders for their kindness and said he thought the police had treated him unjustly. He added—“l did not do this murder and I don’t know who did.”

FURTHER PARTICULARS. AUCKLAND, Dec. 20.

The execution of Samuel John Thorne aged 39, convicted of the murder of Sydney Seymour Eyro, of Pukekawa, took place at eight o’clock. The only persons present were the gaol officials, "the Presbyterian Minister who read the burial service, and press representatives.

When challenged in the usual on the scaffold by the Sheriff, who asked if he had anything to say, just before the rope was put round his neck, Thorne, who was very composed said—-“ Yes.” I' ‘ want to thank the gaol officials, especially the three warders who were in attendance on me for their kindness, and another thing I think it was very j unjust, the police’s way of treating me. I am not guilty of the murder and I don’t know who did it. lam prepared to meet my God. I have made my peace with Him.

After the condemned man’s feet had been strapped together, the noose was adjusted round his neck, the white cap drawn over his head, and the bolt was drawn, death being instantaneous.

The execution passed off without, the slightest hitch of any kind. It was rfll over in a very *few minutes, from the time the prisoner was led out of his eell. He maintained the same unperturbed demeanour that. he has ever since the tiratf of his arrest. When apprehended he said “Right oh,” and repeated the same exclamation when informed that the sentence was to he carried out.

In some executions the prisoner gives the impression of being under the influence of a drug, had his eyes open all the time though his facial muscles showed some feeling while he was being strapped at the legs, he kept a remarkable command over himself.

The custom of burying the executed in the gaol precincts has been discontinued for many years. All burials take place elsewhere. It is understood that no application has been made for Thorne’s body. In that case the internment will be done officially.