Maungatapu Murders - The Execution

The Execution

Nelson had never had a murder case before this case. Gallows were specially constructed which allowed three men to be hanged simultaneously. A hangman was summoned from Wellington. 5 October was the date of execution. At approximately 8:30am Burgess, Levy, and Kelly were hanged. Burgess and Levy died instantly, however Kelly choked. Death masks were made of heads of the convicted for the pseudoscience of phrenology. It is unknown what occurred with the bodies, and there are many urban legends about the burial of the three bodies.

Read more about this topic:  Maungatapu Murders

Famous quotes containing the word execution:

    If I were asked to chose between execution and life in prison I would, of course, chose the latter. It’s better to live somehow than not at all.
    Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904)

    The application requisite to the duties of the office I hold [governor of Virginia] is so excessive, and the execution of them after all so imperfect, that I have determined to retire from it at the close of the present campaign.
    Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)