HANGED IN AMERICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22427, 25 May 1936, Page 11

HANGED IN AMERICA

ENGLISH SUBJECT'S FATE CRIMINAL'S VAIN APPEAL SAN FRANCISCO. May 22 Alexander Mackay, a British subject, was hanged at America's biggest prison at San Quentin to-day. In response to a request from the British Government, supported in Washington, Mackay was granted a reprieve of 30 days by the Governor, Mr. Frank Merriam, one hour before the time set for his execution last month. Mackay to-day issued one more appeal to' the British people, but the English authorities declined to intervene further. Joseph Kristy, of Cleveland, convicted of the same offence, was hanged with Mackay.

The charge against Mackay was that ho had assaulted the warden of the San Quentin gaol and kidnapped three prison directors in au official motorcar, in which he had planned to escape. He was one of the seven prisoners who stormed a meeting of the San Quentin Prison Board in January, 1935. Three members of the board and the warden of the prison were carried off on the running-board of the warden's car to prevent guards from firing at them, and the warden was beaten into insensibility and thrown on to the road two miles from the prison. The attempted escape proved futile. Under Californian law kidnapping together with assault is punishable by death. The case aroused considerable interest in Britain, where public opinion expressed itself as being against the execution of Mackay, as he had not caused death. The British Government interceded on Mackay's behalf, and efforts were said to have been made to enlist the help of King Edward and members of Parliament. Mackay admitted having taken part in a plot to escape because he had Seen sentenced for a crime he had not committed, the others sentenced for the same offence having been released on parole