THE CREWE MURDER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8789, 27 May 1890, Page 3

THE CREWE MURDER.

EXECUTION OF ONE OF THE

BROTHERS. Bichard Davies, the youth who was sentenced to death for the murder of his father near Crewe, and on whose behalf great efforts had been made to obtain a respite or reprieve — the latter having- beon granted to his brother George, who was an/, accomplice — was executed at Knutsfor^l' Gaol on April 8. While the hangnaSn, Berry, was adjusting the rope AVer his neck the youth exclaimed in fextent tones, * O Lord, to Thee I comment! my spirit, receive it for Christ's sake." The last word had barely escaped his lips ,when Berry touched the lever, the trap-door gave way and clanged against the sides of the pit, and the body of Davies disappeared. At that moment a black flag appeared and announced to tho silent, watching group that stood opposite the prison entrance that the sentence of death had been carried out. In conversation with the chaplain after the execution, a correspondent was informed by the rev. gentleman that Richard Davies, whom hehail daily seen, was truly penitent for the paft he took in tho crime. Asked whether tho demeanour of George Davies indicated the same feeling on his part, Mr Truss replied that he had appeared " stolidly indifferent." The correspondent then asked whether Richard had made any statement to him concerning his connection with the crime, and Mr Truss said, " I will read you what he wrote and gave to me ten minutes before his death." It was as follows: "I truthfully declare in my last hour that I never struck my father on the night of hi 3 death, and that I never had tho axe in my hand." This statement, said the chaplain, would be forwarded to the Home Secretary. The prisoner, in the same pencil scribbled documents, committed to the chaplain an affectionate message to bo transmitted to his mother. Captain Price also said that the condemned youth made a statement to the chaplain, maintaining his complete innocence of all part in the actual crime of murder, which was at once telegraphed to the Home Secretary.