MURDERER EXECUTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 19

MURDERER EXECUTED.

ADELAIDE,' March 16. Robins was executed to-day for murdering Ovenworth on December 24. Death was instantaneous. Shortly after midnight on December 1-24-news was conveyed to the metropolitan watohhouse that a fearful tragedy had been enacted in Moonta street, Adelaide, a small thoroughfare .running between Gouger street and Grote street. Constable Barry was attracted to the scene 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 middle of a, pool of blood, presented a horrible spectacle. His throat was cut from ear to cm. Charles Clifford Ford, who was the first to notify the police of the occurrence, made a statement that at about 20 minutes past 12 o'clock they heard a horse running down Gouger street whinnving, and heard another horse reply. Ford and deceased ran out into Moonta street. Owensworth said: "That's a Melbourne Cup winnec" 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: "He is cutting my throat! He is cutting my throat" Ford 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 ciuiet man, 55 years old. and resided in North Adelaide. He had been employed by Mr Madge for 25 years. Robins made no effort to get away. He calmlv walked a few yards, and was intercepted by Constable Barry. He told the constable that he had cut Owensworth'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 isoon after the cell door had been closed behind him he was sleeping soundly. * 1 Mrs Robins told a reporter that she

| married her husband in 1898. Prior to ; that she had a child by Owensworth. i Robins later on began to drink heavily, j and threatened to murder his wife and her boy. He never stopped referring to Owensworth, she said, whom he called most offensive names. " I have lived the life of a dog, and my children have had a terrible time. I have five children by Robins. The yciungest is one year old. Robins will be 44 years of age on Christmas Day. He is a terrible drinker. My God; what a life my dear little children and I | have had."