EXECUTION OF DEEMING

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8886, 24 May 1892, Page 5

EXECUTION OF DEEMING

NO CONCESSION.

TH E MURDERER'S LAST MOMENTS. Press Association.—Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Melbourne, May 23. Deeming was hanged at ten o'clock this morning, death being instantaneous. There were about a hundred persons present at the execution, including the

eading doctors and University pro-

fessors, and representatives of the English, Australian,-and New Zealand press.

At a few minutes to ten, the DeputyGovernor of the gaol entered, accompanied by the executioner, and proceeded to the prisoner's cell. After prayer by the chaplain, Deem- j ing was pinioned, and punctually at | ten o'clock walked to the scaffold. He was slightly nervous, and twitched ; his head while the noose was being adjusted. In reply to a question as to whether he had anything to say, Deeming merely replied, " Lord, receive my. soul." His face was pale, but otherwise the doomed man seemed calm. After the drop fell there was not the slightest movement in the body. Deeming has left a statement with the governor of the gaol, but it is not believed to contain anything new. Up to early this morning he continued to protest his innocence of the Rainhill murders. The Bishop of Melbourne visited Deeming in gaol yesterday. At the Bishop's request, the convict expressed his contrition, and stated he would not make a speech on the gallows, but die protesting his,innocence (sic). Later. A great concourse of people surrounded the prison where the last sentence of the law was to be carried out. When the Deputy-Governor entered the cell the prisoner was repeating the prayer which he uttered on the scaffold. The execution was carried out without the slightest hitch or delay.

The Cabinet refused the request of the Medical Association for Deeming's head on the ground that they saw no reason why the body should be treated differently to those of other criminals.

The jaunty air wljich characterised the convict when first incarcerated rapidly disappeared after the sentence of death, and he became amenable to prison discipline, and respectful to the officials.

During a prayer with the clergyman before the execution Deeming implored pardon for the heinous sin he had committed in sending his family to their last account without warning.

The murderer's last night was spent in agony of suspense. He cried bitterly for a long time, but slept heavily towards daylight.

The Government is considering whether they will allow the last document handed to the Gaoler by Deeming to be published. London, May 23. The newspapers express relief that Deeming has been executed, and that no delay interposed to the carrying out of the sentence.