VIC - Dark Stories True Crime Tours

1870: James Cusack Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Murder at Woods Point

James Cusack was tried before Justice Barry at the Victorian Criminal Sessions in August 1870 for the wilful murder of his wife, Ann Cusack, at Gooley’s Creek on the Upper Goulburn River.

A neighbour, Patrick Malone, testified to a history of brutal domestic abuse: over eighteen months he had repeatedly witnessed Cusack beating, kicking, and dragging Ann by the hair. On the night of 28 June 1870, Malone watched Cusack knock her down with his fist over a hidden bottle of gin. The violence that followed proved fatal.

Cusack was convicted and hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 30 August 1870, leaving behind four children, the eldest just six years old and the youngest twelve months.

Woods Point, Charles William Dale, State Library Victoria, H36372.

⬅ See all events from 30 August

Australia Domestic Violence Execution Goulburn River Melbourne Murder Trial VIC Woods Point

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

1875: An Gaa Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Mining Partner at Vaughan

In June 1875, a Chinese miner was found dead at a hut near the goldfields of Vaughan, central Victoria. An Gaa, who shared the hut with the deceased, was found calmly eating rice by candlelight when Constable King and a Chinese interpreter arrived to investigate.

The scene was disturbing: the body lay on its side, a used opium pipe in the hand, blood soaked through the straw bunk and into the wood beneath, and a wet towel stained with blood and water nearby. An Gaa claimed to know nothing of how his housemate had died.

Tried before Justice Sir Redmond Barry in July 1875, An Gaa was convicted of murder. He was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 30 August 1875.

Workers washing mining tailings in the 1870s

⬅ See all events from 30 August

Australia Castlemaine Execution Melbourne Murder Trial Vaughan VIC

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

1857: Frederick Turner Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for Armed Robbery and Attempted Murder

Frederick Turner, just 21 years old, was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 28 August 1857 for robbery under arms on the Flemington Road. He and accomplices had robbed a labouring man near Flemington, and when the victim begged for the return of half a crown to feed his children, Turner drew a revolver and fired at his head. The ball glanced off, inflicting only a minor wound, but the intent was clear. Turner had arrived in Victoria as a free emigrant aboard the William Jardine in 1849, accompanied by his parents and brother.

Convicted at the Criminal Sessions of highway robbery and shooting with intent to murder, Turner went to the gallows clinging to hope of a reprieve that never came. He refused to reveal his real name, admitting only that idleness and dissolute company had been his ruin.

He maintained he had never intended to kill his victim, and this belief appeared to sustain a lingering, ill-founded hope that mercy would be shown to him in this world.

⬅ See all events from 28 August

Australia Bushranger Execution Melbourne Murder Robbery VIC

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

1893: John Conder Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Merchant

John Conder was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 28 August 1893 for the murder of Kaiza Singh, a Hindu hawker, near Buchan in eastern Victoria. Several hundred people gathered outside the prison, and inside, around two dozen witnesses attended the execution.

Conder was led to the scaffold by the hangman and his assistant, both heavily bearded. A chaplain, recited prayers at the scaffold. When asked by the Sheriff if he wished to make a statement, Conder, who was hard of hearing, shook his head. The rope was placed around his neck and the cap drawn over his face.

Conder cried out “O God, have mercy on my soul” before the bolt was drawn.

⬅ See all events from 28 August

Australia Buchan Execution Melbourne Murder VIC

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Subscribe to Dark Stories