THE DEATH PENALTY

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 7

THE DEATH PENALTY

MURDERER OF TAXI-DRIVER. REPRIEVED WIFE’S MESSAGE. Vancouver, March 23. George McDonald Was hanged at Valley Field at 5.37 this morning. No newspapermen were admitted to the hanging. The murderer mounted the gallow’s steps firmly. A telegram received in gaol during th 6 night from his reprieved wife, Doris, read: “To-morrow mass Communion will be offered. I will never cease to pray for you. May the Blessed Lady receive you at the gate of Heaven.” On reading the message McDonald murmured, “God bless her soul.” Before the hanging, mass was celebrated and McDonald received the Holy Communion. Seventyfive prisoners, officials, and detectives attended the service. There was a delay of half an hour, the hangman, Ellis, insisting on daylight before proceeding with his task.—A. and N.Z. A previous message stated: Doris McDonald, known as “the flapper slayer,” has been reprieved, but her husband, George McDonald, is to be hanged. The couple were condemned for the murder of Adelaide Bouchard, a taxi-driver, who was. shot and robbed while taking them to the international border last July. The death sentence of the twenty-year-old girl created intense excitement in the United States and Eastern Canada. Great pressure was brought to bear at common law for clemency for the wife, who was a former New York cabaret dancer. An alleged confession made public by a Denver (Colorado) detective that the girl did the actual shooting caused a sensation. McDonald repudiated this a few days ago from his death cell. Another man is still wanted for the murder.