MURDERER EXECUTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14784, 17 March 1910, Page 7

MURDERER EXECUTED

Preis Association—By Telegraph—Copyrijht. ADELAIDE, March 16. (Received March 16, _nt 11.10 p.m.) Robins was executed to-day for murdering Ovenworth on December 24. Death was instantaneous. Shortly after midnight on December 24 news was convoyed to the metropolitan watchhouso that a fearful tragedy had been enacted in Moonta street, Adelaide, a small thoroughfare running between Gouger street and Groto /street.

Constable Barry was" attracted to the seeuo of E. A. H. Madge's bakery by loud calls of "Police! Police!" On arrival he was informed of the murder of the- head baker,. Robert Owensworth, at the entrance of the small lane which runs at the rear of the bakehouse. Owensworth, who was prostrate in the middlo of a pool of blood, presented a horrible spectacle. Ilk throat was cut from ear to oar.

Charles Clifford Ford, who was the first to notify the polioo of the occurrence, made a statement that at about 20 minute* past 12 o'clock they hoard a horse running down Gouger street whinnying, and heard another horse reply. Ford ami deceased ran out into Moonta street. Owensworth said: "That's a Melbourne Cup winner." Ford replied, " Yes," and heard a man who was coming down Gouger street say "A Port Cup winner."

Ford went to the corner of George street; then he heard Owensworth cry: "Ho is cutting my throat! He is cutting my throat" lord turned round, and saw deceased lying on the ground. John Robins, a painter, of Field street, was standing close by. Ford gave the alarm, and a policeman arrested Robins. After his throat had been. out. the dying man struggled 20 yards, in search of assistance, and climbed a 6ft fence into an adjoining yard, where he died almost immediately. He was a quiet man, 55 years old, and resided in North Adelaide." He had been employed by Mr Madac for 25 years. " ',

Robins mado no effort to get away. He calmly walked a few yards, and was' intercepted by Constable. Barry.' Ho told the constable that he had cut Cnvenswovth's throat', and was thereupon taken into custody. A small narrow-bladed, bloodstained razor' was found in his trousers pocket. At the police station he was unconcerned, and soon after the cell door had been closed behind him lie was sleeping soundly.

Mm Rollins told a reporter that she married her husband in 1893. Prior to t liat_ she had a child by Owensworth. Robins later on hegnn to drink heavily, and threatened to murder his wife and her boy. He never stopped referring to Owensworth, she said, whom ho called most offensive: names. "I have lived the life of a (leg, and my children have had a terrible- time. I have five children by Robins. The ydungest is one year old. Robins will be 44 years of ago on Christmas Day. Ho is a terrible drinker. My God; what a life my dear little children and I have had."