SCOTT HANGED.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1924, Page 3

SCOTT HANGED.

lIV TEI.KOIt Al’lF —CHESS ASSN., COI»YKKiHT. AUCKLAND. April lb. Robert Scott, aged 33. the murderer of Gwedolinc Catherine Murray, age! 12, at Makaraka on jan uarv 20th. was hanged at Mount Eden gaol this morning. The prisoner, who, during the weeks of his solitary coiifmemciit, was apparently sustained by religious fervour, wrote a final letter to his lather in which he stated that ho had found his Redeemer. He was happy in the knowledge and trusted in God’s divine mercy and compassion. He hoped God would help him to meet his punishment like a man. even if he had never lived like one. Scott spent, a peaceful night, ate a good breakfast and mounted the sealfold firmly. Asked if lie bad anything to say he replied: “1 want to say I fully recognise the justice of the sentence. I richly deserved it. 1 commit myself to the loving hands of my Saviour. Lord receive niv soul.” Death was instantaneous. [The victim of the murder was l wendolinc Catherine Murray. 12 years age. who in the afternoon of January 28th. last was sent on a message along a lonely lane to a store, hut did not come home. Her mother had licit been uneasy, and thought that the girl had stopped with friends as previous! v. The body was found next day by t small boy near the Makaraka cemetery, three miles from Gisborne. The sexton of the cemetery and his wife stated that they had heard screams at 8 o’clock the previous night. but thought that the noise came from a passing motor-car. Medical evidence was given to the effect that the gn-1 had been outraged. Scott was arrested at Matawai, •> miles from Gisborne, two days after th? murder, having gone to a settler s house. and asked that the police be communicated with. In a statement made to the police accused admitted that lie had interfered with the girl, and held her down by the throat. When the girl did not answer lie realised what he had done and fled.]