EXECUTION AT GIBRALTAR

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1931, Page 9

EXECUTION AT GIBRALTAR

FIRST FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.

HOSTILE DEMONSTRATION.

London, July 10.

A hangman went from England to carry out an execution at Gibraltar last week—the first on the island, fortress for 25 years. It was that of Ernest Opisso, who had been sentenced to death for the murder of an elderly woman. On the night before the execution the town was in a frenzy when demonstrators had to be dispersed by British troops. A crowd gathered outside the Roman Catholic Church, demanding that the bishop should intervene on Opisso’s behalf. Although the crowds assembled outside the prison in the morning, the execution passed off without disorder. All shops, however, were closed, and no taxi-cabs were running. Most of the officials connected with Opisso’s trial were threatened and a double guard was posted at the summer residence of the Governor, Sir Alexander Godley.