BAYLY'S FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21853, 16 July 1934, Page 10

BAYLY'S FATE

THE FINAL DECISION SENTENCE CONFIRMED PENALTY TO BE PAID LAST PLEAS UNAVAILING [■BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON Saturday The Executive Council at a special meeting at Government House this morning confirmed the sentence of death passed 011 William Alfred Bayly at Auckland three weeks ago for tlie murder of Samuel Pender Lakov and Mrs. Christabel Lakcy at lluawaro on October 15, 1933. The official statement issued after tho meeting was as follows: —"A meeting of the Executive Council was hold at Government ■ House this morning, His Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, presiding. The case of William Alfred Bayly, under sentence of death for murder, was considered. After tho relevant papers concerning tho case had been examined the Executive Council found there was no reason for interfering with tho sentence as passed in due form of law." Tho meeting was called for 10 a.m. and tho Ministers were back at Parliament House at 10.40. Tho papers considered included a petition for reprieve forwarded by Mr. E. H. Northcroft, senior counsel for Bayly, and a petition from Mrs. Bayly. The necessary papers will now be forwarded to the sheriff of the Supreme Court at Auckland, whose duty it will bft to carry the sentence into effect within seven days of the receipt of the notification of the Executive Council's decision.

WARRANT AWAITED DUTY OF THE SHERIFF INFORMING THE PRISONER It was stated yesterday that Bayly had not been officially informed that the death sentence had been confirmed by the Executive Council. However, an authorised visitor will this morning advise Bayly of his fate. On receipt of the death warrant, it is the duty of the sheriff to visit the condemned man at the gaol and inform him of his fate. The sentence must then bo carried out within seven days. Yesterday was Bayly's 28th birthday and ho was visited during the day by the prison chaplain, the Rev. G. E. Moroton. Ho has also been visited at regular intervals by his wife and near relatives. The condemned man is said to be feeling the strain of the period of waiting which has followed the conclusion of his trial, but he has been fairly composed. Bayly has now been in Mount Eden gaol for over seven months. He spends his time chiefly in playing draughts with his warders, solving crossword puzzles and reading light magazines.