Trial
At his trial, Burnett's defence was that at the time of the crime he was insane or alternatively, that this was a case of diminished responsibility. Both defences failed after the jury had considered the evidence for 25 minutes. The court heard about Burnett's mental state and it was revealed he had been violent in the past and had attempted suicide. His mother and father both appeared in the witness box and his mother broke down in the court.
After he was sentenced to death, both his own family and that of the victim petitioned for his reprieve.
There was, however, no appeal from Burnett, and on the morning of 15 August 1963 the 21-year old was executed on the UK's newest gallows (built in 1962 to Home Office approved specifications) as a crowd of 200 people gathered outside the jail. Shortly after the execution, Burnett's body was buried in an unmarked grave within the walls of the prison, as was customary.
Read more about this topic: Henry John Burnett
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