THE CARDIFF MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 19775, 27 January 1928, Page 6

THE CARDIFF MURDER

JURYMEN’S DEPUTATION REPLY BY HOME OEEICE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 26. (Received January 27, at 11,05 a.m.) Referring to the jurymen’s deputation in connection with the Cardiff murder the Home Office says that it is a fixed and necessary rule that the individual views of jurymen must not be allowed to influence the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy. Jurymen may support an appeal for mercy, like the rest of the public, but once a unanimous verdict is given, individual jurors cannot qualify it.—A. and N.Z. and ‘ Sun ’ Cable. EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS. LONDON, January 26. (Received January 27, at 12.50 p.m.) Extraordinary police precautions have been taken at Cardiff for to-morrow’s execution. Witnesses at the trial and other informants have been warned not to frequent the streets for a few days. The executioner is being strongly guarded by the police. The fire brigade has been instructed to stand by in the event of necessity of clearing the crowds by hose. Barriers have been erected around the prison. Mrs Rowlands paid a final visit to her husband, and left the prison in a state of collapse. Driscoll’s mother was unable to face ordeal, and the accused’s brother visited him instead. Two of the jurors in the case came to London to-day, and presented a reprieve petition signed by eight jurors. The deputation was not received at the Home Office, where the view was taken that it could leave the petition _ the sjrme as others do, but no additional importance is attached to this.