1858: Matthew Burns Hanged at Avoca for Assault in a Botched Double Execution
Matthew Burns, convicted of assault, and George Young, convicted of the murder of Esther Scott, were hanged together at the gaol in Avoca on 5 August 1858. Both men were attended by Catholic clergy until the final moment, clinging to every possible delay before the bolt was drawn.
The execution of Burns descended into a horror. The rope yarn used to pinion his arms gave way, allowing him to grasp the rope at his neck and resist the drop. The executioner was forced to physically compel Burns to release his hold before he finally fell, and he strangled slowly for several minutes after Young had died. The cause was later attributed to the authorities having refused to supply proper rope and twine, forcing the executioner to use whatever materials the gaol had on hand.
Neither man confessed from the scaffold, but neither protested his innocence. Both appeared, in the words of those present, to tacitly admit their guilt.
