John Kewish
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John Kewish Jr. (died 1 August 1872) (pronounced "Kyowsh") was the last person executed in the Isle of Man. He was convicted and executed for the crime of patricide.
Sentences of death would be continually issued, the last in 1992, on the Isle of Man, but Kewish's sentence was the last to be carried out.
Background
Prior to his arrest, John Kewish Jr. lived on a farm with his elderly parents. He was the eldest of seven siblings and was unmarried. Kewish's father, John Kewish Sr., was found dead in his home on 28 March 1872. Kewish Jr., who had a history of crime including sheep stealing, was arrested at the family home and charged with patricide. He was described as mentally disabled.
Depositions
According to depositions, the body was found on the evening of 28 March by the victim's wife, Mary Kewish, and a neighbour. The following day the family moved the body, washed it, and prepared it for burial. It was not until 30 March that someone decided to contact the police. On 31 March a police doctor examined the body and noted six wounds (four on the back and two on the chest) which he felt were caused by three thrusts from a small pitchfork. Thomas Kewish, John Jr.'s brother, also admitted there was an ongoing argument between John and his father. The police felt this was strong enough evidence to arrest John Jr.
Trials
Kewish was tried twice before a
Post-trial
Although convicted, Kewish hoped to receive leniency from the British Government. The Lieutenant-Governor received several sworn statements intended to encourage leniency, including from the jurors of the first trial, his examining physician, and others. Kewish's post-trial statements were inconsistent. At one point Kewish's
Manx law at the time required the British Crown to order the execution by positive act.
Execution
Locally, there was reluctance to become involved in the execution. Craftsmen initially refused to build the gallows, and an executioner, William Calcraft, had to be brought over from England to carry out the sentence. Kewish was hanged in Castle Rushen at Castletown on 1 August 1872 and he is buried there. It was the only non-public execution to take place under Manx law.
Aftermath
It was not until 1993 that
See also
General references
- Steve Fielding (1994). The Hangman's Record: Volume One 1868–1899 (Beckenham, UK: Chancery House Press, ISBN 0-900246-65-0) p. 23
External links
- Peter W. Edge, "The Law and Practice of Capital Punishment in the Isle of Man", 1996, accessed 2008-08-13.
- Stephen Kelly, "The Patricide of John Kewish", 2010.
- Ramsey Courier, "Memories of Southside Parishes", 1930.