THE EYRETON MURDERS.

Lake County Press, Issue 978, 5 September 1901, Page 5

THE EYRETON MURDERS.

Alexander Stewart McLean, who was sentenced to death for the. murder of Mrs Martin, her daughter and grandson, was executed in Lyttelton gaol on Saturday morning in the presence of the Sh- riff, the governor of the gaol, two Justices of the Peace, a medical man, Mr Smaill, lay evangt list (who spent the night with the condemed man), Adjutant Flanagan of the Salvation Array, two warders and a constable. JNo reporters were admitted. At five minutes past eight the execution took piace, McLean being calm and cool, and showing no signs of fear. On the scaffold, he said : •' Lord have mercy on me [ am all right; I am ready." Death was instantaneous. From all that can be asc-rtained the execution was carried out without a hitch. The governor of the gaol states that the condemned man slept well the previous night. Mr Smaill praysd •with him and had breakfast with bin.. The murderer expressed penitence, sang hymns, and read the Bible prior to being led to the gallows. On Friday he sent a letter to the governor of the gaol thanking him and the wardeis for their kindness to him during the nine weeks he was under their care. An inquest in accordance with the Act was held when, after hearing the evidence of the sheriff and doctor, the jury returned a verdict that Alexander McLean having been sentenced to death, the said sentence Jiad been duly carried into effect.