WOULD HAUNT THE JURY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11650, 11 May 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

WOULD HAUNT THE JURY.

MURDERER WHO LOOKS AT THE LIGHT SIDE OF LIFE.

The man Joseph Lowe, who was in Stafford Gaol under sentence of death for the murder of a little girl, behaved in an extraordinary manner during the time between his occupancy of the condemned cell and the notification that he was reprieved. Just before the Home Secretary's message was received two of Lowe's relatives visited him. They found him a model of composure. He was not only in good spirits, but was prepared to look at the light side of life. He was really amused at the comical results achieved by the local press in an endeavour to present his likeness to the public, and remarked that none of the prints did him bare justice. With regard to the crime, Lowe said: "I am as innocent as a baby. You have known me all my life, and you know I would not hurt' a fly. If I had killed that poor child T should not have allowed myself to have been arrested. If they do hang me, and there is such a thing as coming back to the world again, I promise you that I will haunt the jurymen who convicted me." Lowe joked throughout the interview, and explained that instead of being troubled by his approaching doom he was unmoved by fear, and slept so well that most mornings the warders had to shake him to make him wake. up. He was a bit annoyed that the governor would not let him have a little stimulant and a bit of tobacco, but otherw stimulant and a bit' of tobacco, but otherwise he was comparatively comfortable. The authorities at Stafford Gaol assert that Lowe is the most extraordinary example of a condemned man they have ever had to deal with. Even when the reprieve was announced he treated it as a matter of no moment.