Who was Ronald Joseph Ryan, and what is his historical significance in Australia?

Ronald Joseph Ryan was the last person to be legally executed in Australia. He was found guilty of shooting and killing warder George Hodson during an escape from Pentridge Prison in 1965. His hanging in 1967 was met with public protests by those opposed to capital punishment, which was subsequently abolished in all Australian states by 1985.

When and where was Ronald Ryan born, and what was his birth name?

Ronald Ryan was born Ronald Edmond Thompson on 21 February 1925, at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne's inner suburb of Carlton, Victoria, Australia.

Who were Ronald Ryan's parents, and what were the circumstances of their relationship?

Ronald Ryan's parents were John Ronald Ryan and Cecilia Thompson (née Young). Cecilia had a son from a previous marriage, George Harry Thompson, and had separated from her first husband in 1915 when he left to fight in World War I. She met John Ryan in 1924 while working as a nurse and they married in 1929 after her first husband's death in 1927.

How did Ronald Ryan acquire the name 'Ronald Joseph Ryan'?

Initially born Ronald Edmond Thompson, he adopted the name Ronald Edmond Ryan after his mother married John Ryan. In 1936, he was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church and took Joseph as his confirmation name, becoming Ronald Edmond Joseph Ryan, though he preferred to use 'Ronald Joseph Ryan' from then on.

What challenges did Ronald Ryan's family face during his early life, particularly concerning his sisters?

In 1937, Ronald Ryan's three sisters were declared wards of the state by authorities, deeming them neglected, and were sent to the Good Shepherd Convent in Collingwood. Ronald himself absconded from Rupertswood in September 1939.

How did Ronald Ryan support his family during his youth in New South Wales?

After absconding from Rupertswood, Ronald Ryan worked with his half-brother George Thompson in and around Balranald, New South Wales, engaging in activities like sleeper cutting and kangaroo shooting. He sent the spare money he earned to his mother, who was caring for their sick, alcoholic father.

What was Ronald Ryan's family situation when he was around 20 years old?

At the age of 20, Ronald Ryan had saved enough money to rent a house in Balranald, where he brought his mother and sisters to live with him. His father remained in Melbourne and died a year later, aged 62, after a long battle with miners' disease, phthisis tuberculosis.

Describe Ronald Ryan's marriage and family life in Victoria.

Around the age of 22, Ryan moved to Victoria and met Dorothy Janet George in Melbourne. They married on 4 February 1950, at St Stephen's Anglican Church in Richmond, Victoria. Ryan converted from Roman Catholicism to the Church of England for the marriage, though he converted back to Catholicism shortly before his execution. Dorothy was the daughter of the mayor of Hawthorn, and they had three daughters, Janice, Wendy, and Rhonda, with a fourth baby being stillborn.

What were Ronald Ryan's early legitimate occupations before his criminal activities escalated?

Ronald Ryan initially worked for his father-in-law as a trainee mechanic. He then decided to pursue timber cutting near Marysville and Licola, and when the weather made timber cutting impossible, he took a job painting for the State Electricity Commission.

When did Ronald Ryan's legal troubles begin, and what were his initial charges?

Ronald Ryan's legal troubles began in 1953 in Warragul when he was acquitted of arson after his rented house burned down and the arsonist claimed Ryan had put him up to it for insurance money. His subsequent court appearances included charges for passing bad cheques in Dandenong in 1956 and later for issuing a large number of forged cheques in Warrnambool.

What was Ronald Ryan's experience during his first prison sentence at Bendigo Prison?

During his first prison sentence at Bendigo Prison, under the supervision of Ian Grindlay, Ronald Ryan was considered a model prisoner by authorities. He was actively studying for his Matriculation, which is the successful completion of 12 years of formal schooling, when he was released on parole in August 1963.

How did Ronald Ryan's criminal activities change after his parole in 1963?

After working as a clerk for a couple of months following his parole, Ronald Ryan disappeared from his job and began a new pattern of criminal activities, which involved robbing butcher shops and using explosives to blow their safes.

What motivated Ronald Ryan's escape plan from Pentridge Prison?

Ronald Ryan's escape plan from Pentridge Prison was primarily motivated by the news that his wife was seeking a divorce. His intention was to take himself and his family and flee to Brazil, a country which, at that time, did not have an extradition treaty with Australia.

Who was Peter John Walker, and what was his role in the prison escape?

Peter John Walker was a fellow prisoner Ronald Ryan met in B Division at Pentridge Prison, where Walker was serving a 12-year sentence for bank robbery. Walker decided to join Ryan in his escape plan from the prison.

How did the escapees attempt to exit the prison tower, and what complications did they face?

After Lange pulled the wrong lever, Ryan and Walker proceeded downstairs with their hostage, only to find that the gate would not open. They then encountered Warder Fred Brown, who did not resist. Realizing Lange's trick, Ryan jabbed the rifle into Lange's back and marched him back upstairs to pull the correct lever, allowing them to exit through the gate into the prison car park, where they discovered only one of the six cars present had functional tires.

What happened when Ryan and Walker encountered Brigadier James Hewitt in the prison car park?

In the prison car park, Ryan and Walker encountered Brigadier James Hewitt of the Salvation Army, who was the prison chaplain. The escapees grabbed Hewitt and used him as a shield, with Ryan pointing the rifle at him and demanding his car. When Hewitt stated he did not have his car that day, Ryan rifle-butted him in the head, causing serious injuries, before leaving him.

How did prison officer George Hodson become involved in the escape attempt?

After the prison alarm was raised by Warder Lange, prison officer George Hodson responded to the whistle. He was informed by Officer Bennett that Peter Walker was pinned down. Hodson ran over to Walker and disarmed him, but Walker managed to get free, and both men ran towards the armed Ronald Ryan.

Describe the shooting of George Hodson during the escape.

Amidst the confusion and noise at the busy intersection of Sydney Road and Champ Street, Ronald Ryan, who had just attempted to commandeer a car, noticed Walker running towards him, being chased by Hodson, who was holding a pipe. Ryan took a couple of steps forward, raised his rifle, aimed at Hodson, and allegedly fired a single shot. George Hodson fell to the ground, struck by a bullet that entered his right chest and exited an inch lower in his back, dying in the middle of Sydney Road.

How did Ryan and Walker continue their escape after Hodson was shot?

After George Hodson was shot, Ryan and Walker ran past the critically wounded officer and commandeered a blue Standard Vanguard sedan on Sydney Road from its driver, Brian Mullins. With Walker driving and Ryan as a passenger, the car traveled through an adjacent service station and then west along O'Hea Street.

Where did Ryan and Walker hide immediately after their escape from Pentridge Prison?

After successfully eluding their initial pursuers outside Pentridge Prison, Ryan and Walker drove away before changing cars. They then hid in a safe house in Kensington provided by Norman Harold Murray, and the following day, they moved to Christine Aitken's flat in Elwood.

What criminal activities did Ryan and Walker engage in while on the run?

While on the run, Ronald Ryan (armed with the warder's rifle) and Peter Walker robbed an ANZ bank in North Road, Ormond, on 24 December. Ryan, using a revolver (different from the rifle), herded 13 people into the bank's strongroom and stole A£4500. A witness reported Ryan saying, 'This gun shot a man a few days ago.'

What was the Victorian Government's response to the escape and the killing of Hodson?

On 24 December, the Victorian Government announced a £6,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Ryan and Walker. The Chief Secretary and Attorney General, Arthur Rylah, issued a warning to the escapees, stating that the killing of Hodson was the worst Victoria had known and that the 'Hanging Act was still in force.'

What tragic event occurred during Ryan and Walker's time hiding in Elwood?

On Christmas Eve, during a party at Christine Aitken's flat, Peter Walker killed Arthur Henderson, Aitken's boyfriend. Walker and Henderson had left to find more alcohol, and Walker returned alone an hour later, having shot Henderson in the back of the head in a Middle Park toilet block.

How were Ryan and Walker eventually recaptured in Sydney?

After fleeing to Sydney, Ryan attempted to contact a woman he knew, but her daughter recognized him and tipped off the police. Detective Inspector Ray 'Gunner' Kelly organized a trap with 50 police officers near Concord Repatriation Hospital on 6 January. Ryan was tackled by detectives after attempting to use a deliberately disabled public phone, dropping a loaded .32 revolver. Simultaneously, Detective Sergeant Fred Krahe captured Walker by holding a shotgun to his head through the car window.

What items were found in the escapees' car upon their recapture?

Upon their recapture, the police found a significant cache of weapons and tools in the boot of Ryan and Walker's car. This included three pistols, a shotgun, two rifles (all fully loaded), an axe, a jemmy (a type of crowbar), two coils of rope, a hacksaw, and two boiler suits.

What was the legal process following Ryan and Walker's recapture and extradition?

After their recapture, Ryan and Walker were extradited back to Melbourne. They were jointly tried for the murder of George Hodson in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Additionally, Walker was tried for the shooting murder of Arthur James Henderson, which occurred while he and Ryan were at large.

What was the nature of the 'verbal confessions' allegedly made by Ronald Ryan, and how did he respond to them?

During his extradition to Melbourne, Ronald Ryan allegedly made three verbal confessions to police, admitting to shooting prison officer Hodson. However, these verbal allegations were unrecorded and unsigned by Ryan, who denied making them and claimed he had been 'verballed,' meaning false allegations were made against him. He only signed a document stating he would give no verbal testimony.

What was the primary challenge for the defense in Ronald Ryan's murder trial, according to the Gaols Act of 1958?

A significant challenge for the defense in Ronald Ryan's trial was the Gaols Act of 1958. This act stipulated that any male person lawfully imprisoned who escapes or attempts to escape is guilty of a felony, and if a killing occurs by an act of violence during such a felony, or in furtherance of its purpose, the accused is guilty of murder, even without an actual intention to kill.

How did eyewitness testimonies vary in Ronald Ryan's trial?

The Crown's case relied heavily on eyewitnesses, but their testimonies varied significantly. While eleven eyewitnesses swore they saw Ryan waving and aiming his rifle, only four testified to seeing him fire a shot. Accounts differed on whether Ryan was standing, walking, or squatting, and his exact position relative to Hodson when a single shot was heard. Some witnesses reported seeing smoke or recoil from Ryan's rifle, while others did not.

What was the defense's argument regarding the bullet's trajectory and Ryan's height?

Ronald Ryan's defense lawyer, Philip Opas, argued that the ballistics evidence indicated the fatal bullet entered Hodson's body in a downward trajectory. A Monash University mathematics professor, Terry Speed, calculated that Ryan, being 5 feet 8 inches tall, would have needed to be 8 feet 3 inches tall to have fired the shot if Hodson was standing perfectly upright and 20 feet away. This suggested Hodson might have been shot from an elevated position or by another prison officer.

How did the prosecution counter the defense's trajectory theory?

The prosecution countered the defense's trajectory theory by arguing that George Hodson, who was 6 feet 1 inch tall, could have been running in a stooped or forward-leaning position when he was shot, which would account for the downward angle of the bullet's entry. However, no witnesses saw or testified to seeing Hodson running in such a position.

What was the outcome of Ronald Ryan's trial and Peter Walker's trial?

After a twelve-day trial in the Victorian Supreme Court, Ronald Ryan was convicted of the murder of George Hodson and sentenced to death, which was the mandatory sentence at that time. Peter Walker, his accomplice, was found not guilty of Hodson's murder but guilty of manslaughter, receiving a 12-year prison sentence. Walker was also found guilty of manslaughter for the death of Arthur Henderson and received another 12-year sentence.

What was the jury's understanding regarding the death sentence in Ronald Ryan's case?

According to juryman Tom Gildea, the jury evidently thought that Ronald Ryan's death sentence would be commuted to life imprisonment, as had happened in the previous 35 death penalty cases in Victoria since 1951. Gildea's account indicated that not one member of the jury believed Ryan would actually be executed.

What factor did the jury consider decisive in convicting Ryan, according to Tom Gildea?

Juryman Tom Gildea stated that a decisive factor for the jury was handling the rifle which had killed Hodson. They had been told the rifle had a 'hair trigger,' but upon examination, they found they had to pull it at least half an inch and use considerable force, which contradicted the defense's suggestion of an accidental firing.

How did some jurors react when it became clear that Ronald Ryan would be executed?

When it became apparent that the Victorian Government was intent on hanging Ryan, seven of the twelve jury members, including Tom Gildea, signed separate petitions requesting that Ryan's death sentence be commuted to life in prison. Some jurors later stated they would never have convicted Ryan of murder if they had known he would in fact be executed, suggesting they would have opted for a manslaughter verdict.

What was the basis of Philip Opas's appeal against Ryan's murder verdict?

Philip Opas decided to appeal against the murder verdict to the Victorian Court of Criminal Appeal, a bench consisting of three judges of the Supreme Court. The basis of the appeal was that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence, arguing that there were inherent inconsistencies, improbabilities, and even impossibilities in the evidence presented.

What legal argument arose during the appeal concerning the 'escape from jail' felony?

During the appeal, there was a long legal argument on when the crime of escaping from jail, defined as a felony under the Crimes Act, was considered to have finished. The question was whether it stopped once Ryan and Walker left the prison property or if it continued until they were caught in Sydney nineteen days later.

What was the outcome of Ryan's appeals to the Victorian Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court of Australia?

Ronald Ryan's appeal to the Victorian Court of Criminal Appeal was dismissed on 8 June 1966. Subsequently, on 14 October 1966, the Full Bench of the High Court of Australia also rejected appeals by both Ryan and Walker.

How did the Bolte Government impact Ryan's ability to pursue further legal appeals?

With all legal avenues yet to be exhausted, the Bolte Government cut legal aid to Ryan. Premier Bolte then directed the Public Solicitor to withdraw Philip Opas's brief, effectively preventing the government from funding Ryan's petition to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, despite the Full Court agreeing that it was unthinkable for a man to be executed before exhausting his ultimate right of appeal.

What was the initial execution date set by the State Executive Council, and how was it delayed?

On 12 December 1966, the State Executive Council (Premier Bolte's cabinet) announced that Ronald Ryan would be hanged on 9 January 1967. However, on 4 January 1967, the State Executive Council stayed Ryan's execution pending an approach to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

What was the final decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council regarding Ryan's case?

On 23 January 1967, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which served as the highest court of appeal for the British Commonwealth, refused Ronald Ryan leave for appeal, effectively exhausting his final legal avenue.

What last-minute attempt was made to stay Ryan's execution based on new evidence, and what was its outcome?

On 30 January 1967, Justice Starke ordered a stay of execution following an affidavit from former prisoner John Tolmie, who claimed he saw a warder fire a shot from Number 1 tower at the time of Hodson's murder. However, the very next day, Tolmie was charged with perjury for making a false affidavit, as he was not in gaol at the time of the escape, and the stay was lifted.

What was Premier Henry Bolte's stance on Ronald Ryan's execution, and how did his cabinet respond?

Premier Sir Henry Bolte insisted that Ronald Ryan's death sentence be carried out, despite the Victorian Government having commuted every death sentence passed since 1951. His cabinet was unanimous in this decision, even though there were at least four State cabinet members who personally opposed capital punishment.

How did the public and various organizations protest Ronald Ryan's impending execution?

Ronald Ryan's impending execution was met with widespread public protest. Melbourne newspapers like The Age, The Herald, and The Sun ran campaigns against the hanging, deeming the death penalty barbaric. Churches, universities, unions, and a large number of the public and legal professions also voiced opposition. An estimated 18,000 people participated in street protests, and around 15,000 signed a petition. The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) even suspended radio broadcasts for two minutes as a protest.

What were Ronald Ryan's final actions and words before his execution?

On the night before his execution, Ronald Ryan was transferred to a cell just steps from the gallows. He refused sedatives but had a nip of whisky. He wrote last letters to his family, defense counsel, the Anti-Hanging Committee, and Father Brosnan, stating in his letter to the committee, 'I state most emphatically that I am not guilty of murder,' and to his daughters, 'With regard to my guilt I say only that I am innocent of intent and have a clear conscience in the matter.' His last words to the hangman were, 'God bless you, please make it quick.'

When and where was Ronald Ryan executed, and what was the immediate reaction within the prison?

Ronald Ryan was hanged in 'D' Division at Pentridge Prison at 8:00 am on Friday, 3 February 1967. At the exact time of his execution, his fellow prisoners staged their own protest by refusing to get out of bed, staging a sit-in, and refusing to work or obey orders, resulting in an eerie silence throughout the prison.

What happened to Ronald Ryan's remains after his execution, and what later development occurred?

Ronald Ryan's body was initially buried in an unmarked grave within the 'D' Division prison facility. Forty years later, in 2007, the Victorian Premier John Brumby granted permission for Ryan's family members to have his body exhumed from Pentridge Prison, following an incident where Hodson's daughter reportedly jumped and danced on Ryan's grave. His remains were then cremated and placed next to his deceased ex-wife in Portland Cemetery.

What physical characteristics and personality traits were attributed to Ronald Ryan?

Ronald Ryan was described as a slightly built man, 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, with a permanent droop in his left eyelid due to a childhood injury. He favored expensive clothing, aiming to impress others, and aspired to be known as Australia's leading criminal. He was considered to be of above-average intelligence and was described by those who knew him and prison authorities as a likable character but also a compulsive gambler.

The Final Verdict

Australia's Last Execution and the Lingering Doubts: An academic exploration into the case of Ronald Ryan, the legal complexities, and the enduring debate surrounding capital punishment in Australia.

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Overview

Australia's Last Execution

Ronald Joseph Ryan (born 21 February 1925, died 3 February 1967) holds a significant, albeit somber, place in Australian legal history as the last individual to be legally executed in the nation. His case became a focal point for the burgeoning anti-capital punishment movement, ultimately contributing to the abolition of the death penalty across all Australian states by 1985.

The Pentridge Escape

Ryan's conviction stemmed from the shooting death of warder George Hodson during a daring escape from Pentridge Prison in Victoria in 1965. This event, and the subsequent trial and appeals, captivated public attention and ignited fierce debate over the justice system and the morality of state-sanctioned killing.

Public Outcry

The decision to proceed with Ryan's hanging was met with widespread public protests. Opponents of capital punishment rallied, demonstrating against what they viewed as a barbaric practice. This societal reaction underscored a growing shift in public sentiment regarding the death penalty, making Ryan's execution a pivotal moment in Australia's social and legal evolution.

Biography

Early Life and Family

Born Ronald Edmond Thompson in Carlton, Victoria, in 1925, Ryan's early life was marked by familial instability. His mother, Cecilia Thompson, married John Ronald Ryan in 1929, after which Ronald adopted the surname Ryan. He was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church, taking Joseph as his confirmation name, and subsequently used "Ronald Joseph Ryan." His three sisters were declared wards of the state due to neglect, highlighting a challenging upbringing.

At the age of 14, Ryan absconded from Rupertswood, working in New South Wales cutting sleepers and shooting kangaroos, sending money back to his ailing, alcoholic mother. By 20, he had saved enough to rent a house in Balranald, bringing his mother and sisters to live with him. His father passed away a year later from phthisis tuberculosis.

Marriage and New Beginnings

Around 22, Ryan moved to Tatura, Victoria, to join his brother in tomato farming. During weekend visits to Melbourne, he met Dorothy Janet George, the daughter of the mayor of Hawthorn. They married on 4 February 1950, at St Stephen's Anglican Church in Richmond, with Ryan converting from Roman Catholicism to the Church of England for the marriage. He later reverted to Catholicism shortly before his execution. The couple had three daughters: Janice, Wendy, and Rhonda, with a fourth child stillborn.

Descent into Crime

Ryan's initial brushes with the law began in the early 1950s. After working in various trades, including timber cutting and painting, he faced charges of arson in 1953, though he was acquitted. Subsequent appearances in court for passing bad cheques in Dandenong (1956) and forged cheques in Warrnambool resulted in good-behaviour bonds, with a detective even providing a favorable character reference.

His first prison sentence was at Bendigo Prison, where he was considered a model prisoner, even studying for his Matriculation. Released on parole in August 1963, Ryan soon returned to crime, engaging in a series of butcher shop robberies involving explosives to open safes. He was caught in January 1964, bailed, and fled to New South Wales, where he admitted to nine more robberies. Recaptured in Victoria, he received an eight-year sentence for breaking and entering on 13 November 1964, leading to his incarceration at Pentridge Prison.

Escape

The Pentridge Breakout

While serving his sentence in Pentridge Prison's B Division, Ronald Ryan befriended fellow inmate Peter John Walker. Upon learning his wife was seeking a divorce, Ryan devised an escape plan, intending to flee with his family to Brazil, a country without an extradition treaty with Australia. On 19 December 1965, Ryan and Walker initiated their audacious escape.

The pair scaled the prison wall and reached a watchtower, where they took prison officer Helmut Lange hostage, threatening him with his own M1 rifle to open the gate. Lange, however, deliberately pulled the wrong lever. After a confrontation with warder Fred Brown, Ryan forced Lange back upstairs to activate the correct mechanism, allowing them to exit into the prison car park. Their dismay at finding most cars disabled was short-lived as they encountered prison chaplain Brigadier James Hewitt, whom they seized as a shield. Ryan, in a moment of frustration, rifle-butted Hewitt, causing serious injuries, when the chaplain stated he did not have his car.

The Fatal Shot

As Ryan and Walker separated, with Ryan heading towards Champ Street and Walker towards a nearby church, prison officer Bennett in Tower 2 aimed his rifle at Walker. The prison alarm blared, drawing unarmed warders Wallis, Mitchinson, and Paterson into the street. Prison officer George Hodson responded, disarming Walker, but Walker broke free and ran towards the armed Ryan amidst the chaos of the busy intersection.

In a critical sequence of events, Ryan, after a struggle with warder Mitchinson over a commandeered car, exited the vehicle. Observing Walker being pursued by Hodson, who was reportedly holding a pipe, and hearing Walker's frantic shouts about Bennett's aimed rifle, Ryan allegedly took a few steps, raised his rifle, aimed at Hodson, and fired. Hodson fell, struck by a single bullet that entered his right chest and exited his back, dying in the middle of Sydney Road. Ryan and Walker then commandeered another vehicle and fled the scene.

Fugitive

On the Run

Following the fatal shooting of Warder Hodson, Ryan and Walker successfully evaded immediate capture, changing cars multiple times and seeking refuge in a safe house in Kensington provided by Norman Harold Murray. They later moved to Christine Aitken's flat in Elwood. The prison escape and the death of a warder dominated Australian newspapers, with initial reports inaccurately claiming Ryan had shot Hodson three times, fueling widespread public anxiety.

Further Criminality

Their time as fugitives was marked by continued criminal activity. On 24 December, Ryan, armed with the warder's rifle, and Walker robbed an ANZ bank in Ormond, herding 13 people into the strongroom and stealing A£4500. A witness recounted Ryan's chilling declaration: "This gun shot a man a few days ago!" The Victorian Government responded by announcing a £6,000 reward for their capture, with Attorney General Arthur Rylah issuing a stark warning that the "Hanging Act was still in force."

A Second Death

The Christmas Eve period brought another tragic event. During a party at Aitken's flat, Walker and Arthur Henderson (Aitken's boyfriend) left to find more alcohol. Walker returned alone, having killed Henderson with a gunshot to the back of the head in a Middle Park toilet block. Following this, Ryan and Walker abandoned the flat and returned to Kensington. Aitken and another woman were initially charged with harbouring the criminals, though these charges were later dropped. On 1 January 1966, the escapees, now in a car with Queensland plates procured by Murray, departed for Sydney.

Recapture

The Sydney Trap

Upon their arrival in Sydney, Ryan attempted to contact an old acquaintance. Unbeknownst to him, the woman's daughter recognized Ryan and promptly alerted the police. Acting on this crucial tip-off, Detective Inspector Ray "Gunner" Kelly orchestrated a meticulously planned trap involving a heavily armed contingent of 50 police officers and detectives at the Concord Repatriation Hospital.

Capture and Confiscation

On the evening of 6 January, as Ryan approached a deliberately disabled public telephone box and then a nearby shop (where the owner had been instructed to deny phone access), he was ambushed. Six detectives tackled him as he exited the shop, causing him to drop a loaded .32 revolver. Simultaneously, Detective Sergeant Fred Krahe apprehended Walker by thrusting a shotgun through the car window and holding it to his head, securing his capture without resistance. After 19 days on the run, both men were in custody.

A subsequent search of their vehicle's boot revealed a significant arsenal: three pistols, a shotgun, and two rifles, all fully loaded, along with an axe, a jemmy, two coils of rope, a hacksaw, and two boiler suits, indicating their preparedness for continued evasion and criminal activity.

Trial

The Queen v. Ryan and Walker

Ryan and Walker were extradited back to Melbourne and jointly tried for the murder of George Hodson. The trial, *The Queen v. Ryan and Walker*, commenced on 15 March 1966, in the Supreme Court of Victoria. The initial day was dedicated to jury selection, with both Ryan and Walker exercising their legal right to object to numerous candidates.

Crown's Case: Eyewitnesses & Alleged Confessions

The prosecution's case notably lacked scientific forensic evidence; Ryan's rifle was never ballistically tested, and the fatal bullet and spent cartridge casing were never recovered. Consequently, the Crown relied heavily on eyewitness testimony from individuals near Pentridge Prison during the shooting. These accounts, however, presented significant variations regarding Ryan's exact position and actions when the single shot was heard.

While eleven eyewitnesses claimed to see Ryan waving and aiming his rifle, only four explicitly testified to seeing him fire a shot, with two observing smoke and two noting the rifle's recoil. Pauline Jeziorski, a witness, also reported smelling gunpowder. Conflicting testimony emerged regarding Hodson's actions; prison officers stated he carried nothing, while two other witnesses claimed he carried an "iron-bar or baton."

A critical aspect of the Crown's case involved alleged unrecorded and unsigned verbal confessions from Ryan. Detective Sergeant KP "Bill" Walters claimed Ryan stated Hodson "caused his own death" and that he "didn't want to shoot him." Detective Senior Constable Harry Morrison reported Ryan saying, "The warder spoilt the whole show... It was either him or Pete." Furthermore, bank officers Robert Sipthorpe and George Robertson testified that Ryan declared, "This is the gun that shot a man the other day!" during a robbery. John Fisher, a petty criminal, also claimed Ryan confessed to him.

Defence's Case: Discrepancies & Doubt

The defence faced the challenge of Victoria's Gaols Act of 1958, which stipulated that a killing during a violent felony, such as an escape, constituted murder, even without intent. Defence counsel Philip Opas argued extensively about when the "escape felony" legally concluded, questioning if it ended upon leaving prison property or continued until recapture.

Opas highlighted numerous substantial discrepancies in the Crown's eyewitness accounts, arguing their contradictory nature rendered them unreliable. He dramatically presented a human skeleton to illustrate the trajectory of the fatal bullet, with a Monash University mathematics professor, Terry Speed, testifying that Ryan, at 5 feet 8 inches, would have needed to be 8 feet 3 inches tall to fire the shot at Hodson (6 feet 1 inch) if Hodson was standing upright and 20 feet away, given the bullet's downward trajectory. This suggested the shot could have come from an elevated position, possibly from another prison officer. The prosecution countered that Hodson might have been running in a stooped position, though no witnesses corroborated this.

Opas also challenged Warder Robert Paterson's conflicting statements regarding hearing a shot and who was in the line of fire. Ryan himself testified, denying firing a shot, denying all alleged verbal confessions, and asserting that his only objective was freedom, taking the rifle solely to prevent it from being used against him. He maintained that if the fatal bullet had been recovered, forensic analysis would have proven it was not fired from his rifle. The defence also pointed out that a faulty operation of the M1 carbine (cocking with the safety on) could eject a live round, potentially accounting for a missing bullet and suggesting another source for the fatal shot.

Verdict and Sentence

After a twelve-day trial, Ronald Ryan was convicted of the murder of George Hodson. Justice John Starke delivered the mandatory sentence at the time: death. When asked if he had anything to say, Ryan firmly stated, "I still maintain my innocence. I will consult with my counsel with a view to appeal. That is all I have to say!" Peter John Walker, his accomplice, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for Hodson's death, receiving a 12-year sentence. He also received a concurrent 12-year sentence for the manslaughter of Arthur Henderson. Walker was paroled in 1984 and passed away in 2022.

Appeals

Post-Trial Legal Battles

Following the verdict, Philip Opas immediately moved to appeal the murder conviction to the Victorian Court of Criminal Appeal. The core of his argument was that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence, citing inherent inconsistencies and improbabilities in the testimony presented. A significant legal debate centered on the interpretation of the Crimes Act 1958, specifically when the "escape felony" was considered complete, as this had direct implications for the murder charge.

Justice Starke had instructed the jury that a killing during a violent felony, or in furtherance of its purpose, constituted murder even without intent. The appeal sought to challenge this interpretation and the factual basis of the conviction. However, the appeal was dismissed on 8 June 1966. Further legal recourse was sought, but on 14 October 1966, the Full Bench of the High Court of Australia also rejected appeals by both Ryan and Walker.

The Privy Council & Political Will

Despite legal avenues being exhausted within Australia, Ryan's defence aimed for an appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, then the highest court of appeal for Commonwealth countries. However, the Bolte Government controversially cut legal aid to Ryan, attempting to prevent this final appeal. Philip Opas, convinced of Ryan's innocence, defied Bar Council ethics rulings to work pro bono, securing a solicitor and junior counsel for the London appeal.

On 12 December 1966, Premier Bolte's State Executive Council announced Ryan's execution for 9 January 1967. A temporary stay was granted on 4 January 1967, allowing the Privy Council approach. Opas flew to London, but on 23 January 1967, the Judicial Committee refused leave for appeal. The State Executive Council then rescheduled Ryan's execution for 31 January. A last-minute stay was ordered by Justice Starke on 30 January, based on an affidavit from a former prisoner, John Tolmie, who claimed to have seen another warder fire a shot. Tolmie was subsequently charged with perjury, and Bolte rescheduled the execution for 3 February 1967.

Public and Jury Intervention

The State Government of Victoria had commuted every death sentence since 1951, leading many, including the jury, to believe Ryan's sentence would also be commuted. Juryman Tom Gildea later revealed that not a single juror believed Ryan would actually be executed, and seven of them signed petitions requesting commutation to life imprisonment, stating they would have opted for manslaughter had they known the death penalty would be carried out.

As Bolte's determination to proceed became clear, a massive public outcry ensued. Newspapers like *The Age*, *The Herald*, and *The Sun* launched anti-hanging campaigns, arguing the death penalty was barbaric. Churches, universities, unions, and a significant portion of the public and legal profession joined the opposition. An estimated 18,000 people participated in street protests, and 15,000 signed a petition. The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) even observed a two-minute silence in protest. Despite these pleas, Premier Bolte denied all requests for mercy, and final attempts by Opas and others to present new evidence or secure clemency were rejected, often with government offices made inaccessible until after the scheduled execution time.

Execution

Final Hours

On the night before his execution, Ronald Ryan was moved to a cell mere steps from the gallows trapdoor within Pentridge Prison's 'D' Division. Father Brosnan remained with him for much of this time. In his final hours, Ryan penned several handwritten letters on toilet paper to his family, his defence counsel, the Anti-Hanging Committee, and Father Brosnan. In these letters, he emphatically declared, "I state most emphatically that I am not guilty of murder." To his daughters, he wrote, "With regard to my guilt I say only that I am innocent of intent and have a clear conscience in the matter."

The Last Moments

Ryan refused any sedatives but accepted a small amount of whisky. He walked calmly onto the gallows trapdoor. His final words, addressed to the hangman, were: "God bless you, please make it quick." Ronald Ryan was hanged at 8:00 am on Friday, 3 February 1967, marking the last legal execution in Australia.

Aftermath and Burial

At the precise moment of Ryan's execution, his supporters observed a nationwide three-minute silence. Inside Pentridge Prison, his fellow inmates staged their own silent protest, refusing to leave their beds, engage in work, or obey orders, creating an "eerie silence" throughout the facility. Ryan's body was subsequently buried in an unmarked grave within the 'D' Division prison grounds.

Forty years later, in 2007, Victorian Premier John Brumby granted permission for Ryan's family to have his body exhumed from Pentridge Prison. This decision followed an incident where Hodson's daughter reportedly jumped and danced on Ryan's grave. Ryan's remains were cremated and reinterred next to his deceased ex-wife in Portland Cemetery.

Debate

Character and Contradictions

Ronald Ryan was described as a slightly built man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a permanent droop in his left eyelid from a childhood injury. He cultivated an image of sophistication, favoring expensive clothing and aspiring to be a prominent criminal. Possessing above-average intelligence, he was seen by many as likable but also a compulsive gambler. Detective Harding, one of the arresting officers, characterized him as "tough, plausible and particularly difficult to question," revealing little until cornered.

Conflicting Accounts

Years after the execution, new claims and conflicting statements emerged, reigniting the debate over Ryan's guilt. In 1986, former warder Doug Pascoe publicly claimed he had fired a shot during the escape, suggesting he might have accidentally killed Hodson. This claim was dismissed by police due to his rifle's full magazine and his distance from the shooting. Other warders offered contradictory accounts of Pascoe's location and the duty roster for that day.

Retired prison governor Ian Grindlay stated that Ryan had told him "straight out" that he shot Hodson but did not intend to kill him. Sister Margaret Kingston of the Good Shepherd Convent also reported a similar admission from Ryan. Conversely, in 1992, witness Les Watt, who had testified at the trial, broke a 25-year silence to affirm in *The Australian* that he saw Ryan aim, fire, and Hodson fall, observing a "slight puff of smoke" from the rifle. Watt criticized Philip Opas for allegedly distorting facts.

The Case for Innocence

Despite the conviction, a persistent "case for innocence" has been argued by various individuals. Criminologist Gordon Hawkins, in the documentary *Beyond Reasonable Doubt*, questioned the validity of Ryan's alleged unsigned verbal confessions, noting that such evidence would be inadmissible in modern Australian courts due to police corruption revelations. He found it improbable that a seasoned criminal like Ryan would confess verbally without signing documentation.

In 1993, former Pentridge prisoner Harold Sheehan claimed he witnessed the shooting and saw Ryan on his knees, which, given the downward trajectory of the fatal bullet, would make it impossible for Ryan to have inflicted the wound. The fact that the fatal bullet and spent cartridge were never found, combined with the possibility that a live round could have been accidentally ejected from Ryan's rifle (a faulty operation conceded by prison staff and ballistic experts), further fueled doubts. If the eighth round was accounted for this way, it would imply the fatal shot came from another source.

Philip Opas QC, Ryan's defence counsel, maintained Ryan's innocence until his death in 2008, denying any confession from Ryan and stating Ryan's last words to him were, "I don't want to go this way for something I didn't do." Father John Brosnan, who was with Ryan before his execution, expressed uncertainty about whose bullet killed Hodson. Barry Jones, a prominent politician and former secretary of the Victorian Anti-Hanging Committee, also voiced "reasonable doubt" about Ryan's guilt, suggesting the execution was driven by Premier Bolte's "law and order agenda." Even Justice Starke, the trial judge, remained troubled by the hanging until his death, despite being convinced of Ryan's guilt.

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References

"Ryan, Ronald Joseph (1925â1967)", Mike Richards, Australian Dictionary of Biography

Grindlay, Ian, Behind Bars: Memoirs of Jail Governor, Ian Grindlay, Southdown Press, Melbourne

Trial transcript R v Ryan & Walker 15â30 March 66, quoted by Richards, The Hanged Man at p. 199

Trial transcript R v Ryan & Walker 15â30 March 66, p555, quoted by Richards, The Hanged Man, p. 203.

"The Innocence of Ronald Ryan" by P. Opas Victorian Bar News Spring 2002, pp. 13â15

"Eyewitness breaks 25 year silence, Ryan killed warder with rifle", The Australian, 4 February 1992

Burnside, Julian (11 March 2002). The Ryan legacy The Age

"Australian Coalition Against Death Penalty". acadp.com. p. 3. Retrieved 3 February 2014.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ronald Ryan Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not legal or historical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional legal analysis, historical research, or expert consultation. Interpretations of historical events, legal proceedings, and individual guilt or innocence are complex and subject to ongoing scholarly debate. Always refer to primary sources, academic publications, and consult with qualified legal or historical professionals for specific inquiries. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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The Final Verdict

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview 📜

🇦🇺 Australia's Last Execution

⛓️ The Pentridge Escape

🗣️ Public Outcry

Biography 👨‍💼

👶 Early Life and Family

💒 Marriage and New Beginnings

📉 Descent into Crime

Escape 🏃‍♂️

🚧 The Pentridge Breakout

🚨 The Fatal Shot

Fugitive 🕵️‍♂️

💨 On the Run

💰 Further Criminality

💔 A Second Death

Recapture 🎯

🚨 The Sydney Trap

🤝 Capture and Confiscation

Trial ⚖️

🏛️ The Queen v. Ryan and Walker

🗣️ Crown's Case: Eyewitnesses & Alleged Confessions

❓ Defence's Case: Discrepancies & Doubt

👨‍⚖️ Verdict and Sentence

Appeals 🏛️

⚖️ Post-Trial Legal Battles

👑 The Privy Council & Political Will

📣 Public and Jury Intervention

Execution 🕯️

⏳ Final Hours

💔 The Last Moments

🤫 Aftermath and Burial

Debate ❓

👤 Character and Contradictions

🗣️ Conflicting Accounts

⚖️ The Case for Innocence

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Australia's Last Execution

The Pentridge Escape

Public Outcry

Biography

Early Life and Family

Marriage and New Beginnings

Descent into Crime

Escape

The Pentridge Breakout

The Fatal Shot

Fugitive

On the Run

Further Criminality

A Second Death

Recapture

The Sydney Trap

Capture and Confiscation

Trial

The Queen v. Ryan and Walker

Crown's Case: Eyewitnesses & Alleged Confessions

Defence's Case: Discrepancies & Doubt

Verdict and Sentence

Appeals

Post-Trial Legal Battles

The Privy Council & Political Will

Public and Jury Intervention

Execution

Final Hours

The Last Moments

Aftermath and Burial

Debate

Character and Contradictions

Conflicting Accounts

The Case for Innocence

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice