NO REPRIEVE

Southland Times, Issue 20395, 26 January 1928, Page 7

NO REPRIEVE

TWO MEN TO DIE. London, January 24. Sir Austen Chamberlain has refused to reprieve Rowlands and Driscoll, who were found guilty in connection with the murder of the well-known footballer Lewis.—A. and N.Z. EFFECT OF DECISION. CONSTERNATION IN CARDIFF. (Rec. 7.50 p.m.) London, January 24. The decision that Edward Rowlands and Daniel Driscoll are to die on Friday caused consternation in Cardiff where Sir Austen Chamberlain’s reply to a monster petition was received by crowds in the streets, especially in the Roman Catholic district, special editions of the newspapers being quickly bought up. There were many demonstrations. The police have already taken special precautions for the execution and announce that people will not be allowed within 250 yards of the gaol. Special barriers will be erected. Sir Austen Chamberlain’s statement says that after a most careful and anxious consideration he finds no grounds to justify, consistently with his public duty, his advising any interference with the sentences. As John Rowlands has been certified as insane the sentence of death was respited and he was removed to Broadmoor.—A. and N.Z. Four racecourse frequenters—John Rowlands, Edward Rowlands, Daniel Driscoll, and William Smith—were charged at the Glamorgan Assizes with the murder of David Lewis, a Cardiff footballer. The prosecution described it as the most brutal and beastly murder imaginable. The four surrounded Lewis, who was a fine athlete, and held his arms behind his back and deliberately cut his throat. Then they left him to die by the roadside. The prosecution contended that the whole four were guilty of murder. The jury found all the men guilty, except Smith, who was discharged. A message received on Monday stated that a somewhat sensational development has taken place in the Lewis murder case. A definite medical challenge has been issued that Lewis did not die as the result of injuries, but from heart failure. Documents bearing on the matter are now at the Home Office, where Sir Austen Chamberlain is acting for Sir W. Joynson Hicks, who is on the Continent. The new evidence is stated to be the outcome of a Harley Street doctor’s personal' interest. It is said be motored 900 miles from the Riviera in two days to take up the case of the condemned men, who are due to be executed next Friday.