Bayly Executed

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19313, 20 July 1934, Page 5

Bayly Executed

THE RUAWARO MURDERS.

PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE.

STATEMENT FROM SCAFFOLD. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. William Alfred Bayly was executed In Mt. Eden prison at eight o’clock this morning for the murder of Samuel and Christabel Lakey at Ruawaro. He made a statement from the scaffold protesting his Innocence.

’‘ENTIRELY INNOCENT.”

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. BAYLY SAYS 15 UNTRUE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The condemned man’s statement pioesting his innocence was made when the sheriff, Mr C. J. Hewlett, sairU Do you wish to say anything, Bayly. “Yes,” said Bayly. ‘‘l would like to say that I am entirely innocent. The circumstantial evidence may appear to be entirely against mo, but there is no tittle of truth in the circumstantial evidence which has been produced against me. “If I had received the treatment outside which I have received in this place I would never be here to-day. Everybody lias done all they could for me, and I do not think anybody who has helped me here could have done more.” Reiterates His Innocence. After a pause, he said: “I don’t think I can say any more, but I do repeat that I am Innocent. A fair and dispassionate statement of the- evidence is as much against my accusers as it is against me." He shook hands with two warders, thanked the prison chaplain, Rev. G. E. Moreton, and less than a minute afterwards was executed. THE LAST HOURS. VISITED BY RELATIVES. HAD TO BE AWAKENED. (By Telegrapn—Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Friday. For the last time Bayly was visited by relatives yesterday morning. Last night he was visited- by Rev. G. E. Moreton, who did not leave him until 9.30. Ho played 'draughts with the vgarder who guarded him until 2.30 this morning. Then he went to bed. Bayly had to be awakened by officials at seven o'clock Ibis morning. Ho was given a basin in which to wash, and after that he had a breakfast of poached eggs on toast and a cup of tea. Then he rolled a cigarette, and some time later was offered a stimulant, which he accepted. Taken From Condemned Cell. After breakfast Bayly was taken from the condemned 'cell, which he has occupied since the death sentence was passed upon him, to the solitary 'Confinement cell, 25 yards from the gallows. He smoked a cigarette as he walked. After' the final personal words had passed between Mr Moreton and the prisoner the latter’s arms were pinioned by his side. “I Can Wave Good-Bye.” Re found there was movement in Ills forearms, and remarked: "Well, I can wave goodbye.” Just before he was executed Bayly raised his arm. Led by Mr Moreton in a cassock and surplice, Bayly (who was dressed In white prison trousers, _a grey coat, and a blue shirt without" collar) was followed to the gallows by three warders. Psalm Recited. The chaplain recited as lie walked the opening sentences of the burial service, and then Psalm 130. ‘‘o Israel," lie said, "Trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption.” Placing his hand on Bayly’s head as he stood on the gallows, Mr Moreton gave him ttic blessing. AN INQUEST HELD. FORMAL EVIDENCE. VERDICT RETURNED BY CORONER. (By Telegraph —Special to Times.) AUCKLAND. Friday. Bnvly gained ttlbs in weight during his time, in Mt. Eden gaol. =hortlv before nine o'clock Iho magistral. Mr Wyvcrn Wilson, arrived to conduct an inques! into Ravlv's death. Those who had watched the "hanging attended the iiiqtiesl. Afler formal evidence had been given bv Ibc superintendent of I lie prison, tiic sheriff slated that Ihe sentence of death passed on Bayly by Ihe Supreme Court had been carried out. The coroner returned Ihe following verdict: "I find that William Alfred Baylv died in Ml. Eden prison at Auckland at 8 a.ill. on July 20. lOfii, and that the cause of death .was asphyxiation caused by him haxing heon hang'd in pursuance of Iho scnlenee ot Iho Supreme Court imposed on him for Iho murder of Chrislohel Lakey and Samuel pernler Lakey.”

(Continued in next column.)

60 PEOPLE OUTSIDE GAOL.

BODY CLAIMED BY RELATIVES

FUNERAL AT WAI'IvUMETE

(By Telegrapn —Special to Times.) AUCKLAND, Friday

\t the time set for the execution a group of sixty people gathered near tlie eastern end of the prison. The environs were patrolled by warders ‘and police. Tlie body of Bayly was claimed on behalf of relatives, and a funeral service, attended by them, was subsequently conducted by Rev. G. E. Moreton at tlie Waikumete cemetery.

FATE IN DOUBT. MEETINGS OF CABINET. STATEMENT INVESTIGATED. EARLY MORNING DECISION. (Times Correspondent.) WELLLINGTON, Friday. Numerous conferences of Cabinet Ministers, with tlie Commissioner of Police and the Comptroller of Prisons, ■and ultimately with the GovernorGeneral, were held last night and early this morning regarding the fate of William Bayly, and it was not till one o’clock this morning that it was finally announced by the Prime Minister, the HI. lion. G. \V. Forbes, that there would be no interference with tlie carrying out of the sentence. A statement made to Ihe police on the matter of Bayly’s guilt or innocence. was investigated, and was understood lo be tlie subject of the conferences. Mr Forbes however, later announced that no verification of the statement could be found. It is understood Ihe statement referred to related to a conversation in which it was alleged that about two years ago some, person not named had expressed tlie intention of scattering bones on Bayly’s property.

The Minister of Justice, Hon. ,T. G. Cobbe, tlie Commissioner of Police, Mr W. G. Wohlmann, and tlie Comp-troller-General of Prisons, Mr B. L. Dullard, conferred on tlie question last evening as to what action should bo taken and laler the Prime Minister and Ilie Minister of Finance, Mr Coates, were brought into the conference.

At 10.30 Mr Cobbe, Mr Wohlmann ami Mr Dalian! left for Government House lo consult Ihe Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. On his return at midnight, Mr Cobbe said he was still unable to make a slaremenl, as he was awaiting Ihe receipt of a message. The final conference in Iho series look place in ihe Prime Minister’s room shortly before one o’clock when there were present Mr Forbes, Mr Coates, Mr Cobbe, Sir Apirana Xgata and Mr Wolilmanii. Following Iho conference Mr Forbes intimated (hat, there would ho no interference with the carrying out of Iho. sentence this morning.