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Revision as of 10:59, 18 November 2004 by Longhair (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Ronald Ryan was the last man to be hung in Australia.
On 19 December 1965 Ryan, who was a prisoner in Pentridge prison Melbourne, and an associate named Peter John Walker, escaped. During the escape a prison guard named George Hodson was killed. Ryan and Walker were subsequently recaptured, Ryan was charged with, and convicted of, the murder of Hodson. Ryan was sentenced to death.
Ryan was hanged at Pentridge Prison at 8 am on Friday 3 February 1967. He was 41 years old.
The hanging produced much protest in Australia. There was doubt about Ryan's guilt in Hodson's death, and surprise to find that the death penalty would still be carried out. It is often claimed that the execution was used by the state government of Victoria for political gain.
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