The Winton Case.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIII, Issue 2404, 14 August 1895, Page 2

The Winton Case.

THE EXECUTION OF MES DEAN. HER PROTESTATION OP INNOCENCE. Ikvercaegill, August 12. Minnie Dean slept for three hours last night. She took no breakfast, and only a sip from a glass of spirits given her by the gaol surgeon. Don’t let them keep me in agony, doctor,” were her parting words to the surgeon. She marched from the cell with her arms pinioned behind, and up the steps of the scaffold on to the trap door, apparently the most self-pos-sessed of the dismal procession. She stood hatless and erect, facing the west, while the hangman adjusted the rope and placed the white cap on her. Then her legs were pinioned, and for the first time, the marvellous will power of the woman to a certain extent gave way. She swayed back and forward, holding firmly the warder’s hand. After her legs were pinioned, and she had answered the sheriff’s question, she said—“ Oh, God, let me not suffer.” Then the hangman drew the lever and all was over. The drop allowed was 7ft 9in, and the scaffold used was the one built for the execution of Captain Jarvey, of Dunedin, who poisoned his wife about a quarter of a century ago. To the Rev. Mr Lindsay, the prisoner stated that as far as the evidence was concerned the sentence was justified, but she protested her i nnocence as regards intention and forethought. The only persons present besides the gaol officers were the sheriff, doctor, Magistrate and press reporters. It is understood that Minnie Dean left a written statement, which will be forwarded to the Government, placing a different aspect on the case from that inferred from the trial. During the execution a boy fell from the roof of a building to the ground, a distance of 30 feet, fracturing his skull.