EXECUTED THIS DAY - October 22, 1894 MARTHA NEEDLE MELBOURNE GAOL Execution of Martha Needle. Martha Needle, who was sentenced to death for poisoning Louis Junken at Richmond, was executed in the Melbourne Gaol on Monday. During the previous night she slept as well as usual and in the morning having breakfasted heartily she listened with attention to the ministrations of the chaplain, the Rev. Mr. H. F. Scott, and his assistant, the Rev. Mr. Forbes. But to both, as indeed, to everyone, she persisted in declaring her innocence, and seemed quite content to die in the belief that Otto Juncken at least considered she was not guilty. At 10 oclock, in the presence of the sheriff, Mr. L. Ellis; the deputy sheriff, Mr. Casey; the governor of the gaol, Captain Burrows; the chief medical officer, Dr. Shiels, a few reporters, and justices of the peace, the wretched woman was led to the drop. She stood firm and unflinching, and in answer to the usual question said, I have nothing to say. Death followed instaneously on the drawing of the bolt. An hour subsequent to the execution Dr. Youl held the usual formal inquest, and at sunset, the womans body was buried in quicklime in the precincts of the gaol.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 12:25:41 +0000
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