THE LYTTELTON MURDER.

Lake County Press, Volume IV, Issue 206, 15 May 1875, Page 3

THE LYTTELTON MURDER.

Chnstchurch, May 7. The execution of John Mercer for the murder of Isabella Thompson took place at 8 o'clock ibis morning, within the! the precincts of the Lyttelton goal. He slept very soundly last night, and took a good. breakfast. The Rev. J. Fergusson (Presbyterian minister) was with him at a very early hoar this morning; but he paid very little attention to religious: matters, and appeared thoroughly careless of his approaching fate. . He was exhorted to make a confession, but protested his innocence throughout. Before leaving the cell for the scaffold, he wrote in a firm hand on a paper referring to the murder, " I- am innocent cf this crime." He walked with a firm tread to the scaffold, attended by the Rev. J. Fergusson.' After the rope had been adjusted he said in a very firm voice, " Farewell, gentlemen, may God have mercy on my soul,". and, while the cap was being drawn down he was heard to say," I am an innocent man." Up to the last moment of being visible his features wore a kind of half smile. He died'very easy, only one'or two faint spasms being perceptible after the drop fell.; After hanging twenty minutes the body .was taken down and removed to the dead house. The features of the corpse wore a firm calm look, and were in no way distorted. The medical examination proved that the neck- was not dislocated, and that he died of suffocation. If he had been released two minutes after the drop fell he would have survived. Fourteen persdns were present at the execution .• The hangman was the same person who hung Caedeno, and resides at Rangiora. Yesterday evening .Mercer said to one of the jailors, "It will be deuced cold work hanging at eight o'clock in the morning* I I hope I shall be allowed- an hour's walk or a ' nip' before it takes place." L Mercer was perfectly callous up to the last moment.. When on the drop he asked to be allowed to speak, but all he said was, " Good bye, gentlemen, I never did that crime." He took four mintes to die, and though the drop was four feet his neck was not broken. The Press contains the following : " After his conviction Mercer wrote a great deal, including a second letter to his wife, who resides on Emerald Hill, near Melbourne, in which he stater he has no hope, but is innocent. He speaks in a most affectionate manner of his

little daughter Helen, and begs his wife not to lei his poor dear old mother hear of his end, as he knows it will break her heart, and also wishes it to be kept secret from bis brothers and sisters. He also wrote to some friends in Melbourne begging them to interest themselves on behalf of his wife and giving directions as to the disposition of his property. His handwriting and spelling were fair, and show no luck of education ”