Capital punishment in the Isle of Man
Encyclopedia
The Isle of Man formally abolished capital punishment
in 1993, but in practice had not used it for many decades. The Isle of Man
is a British Crown dependency
, but not part of the United Kingdom
(which had effectively abolished capital punishment in 1965).
The last person to be actually hanged on the Isle of Man was John Kewish
, at Castletown in 1872. No hanging had taken place on the island during the three decades prior to this. Nevertheless, capital punishment was not abolished by Tynwald
(the island's parliament) until 1993. Five people were sentenced to death (for murder) on the Isle of Man between 1973 and 1992, although all sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by the Home Secretary
of the United Kingdom
using the Crown
's Prerogative of Mercy
.
The last person to be sentenced to death on the Isle of Man (and anywhere in the British Isles
) was Anthony Teare, at the Court of General Gaol Delivery in Douglas
, in 1992 (he was subsequently retried and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1994). The case was heard before the Second Deemster
of the Isle of Man, Henry Callow
. Deemster Callow thus became the last judge to pass a death sentence (and wear a black cap
whilst so doing) in the British Isles.
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
in 1993, but in practice had not used it for many decades. The Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
is a British Crown dependency
Crown dependency
The Crown Dependencies are British possessions of the Crown, as opposed to overseas territories of the United Kingdom. They comprise the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel, and the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea....
, but not part of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(which had effectively abolished capital punishment in 1965).
The last person to be actually hanged on the Isle of Man was John Kewish
John Kewish
John Kewish, Jr. was the last person executed by the Isle of Man. He was convicted and executed for the crime of patricide.-Background:...
, at Castletown in 1872. No hanging had taken place on the island during the three decades prior to this. Nevertheless, capital punishment was not abolished by Tynwald
Tynwald
The Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
(the island's parliament) until 1993. Five people were sentenced to death (for murder) on the Isle of Man between 1973 and 1992, although all sentences were commuted to life imprisonment by the Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
using the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
's Prerogative of Mercy
Prerogative of Mercy
In the British tradition the Prerogative of Mercy is one of the historic Royal Prerogatives of the British monarch in which he or she can grant pardons to convicted persons...
.
The last person to be sentenced to death on the Isle of Man (and anywhere in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
) was Anthony Teare, at the Court of General Gaol Delivery in Douglas
Douglas, Isle of Man
right|thumb|250px|Douglas Promenade, which runs nearly the entire length of beachfront in Douglasright|thumb|250px|Sea terminal in DouglasDouglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, with a population of 26,218 people . It is located at the mouth of the River Douglas, and a sweeping...
, in 1992 (he was subsequently retried and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1994). The case was heard before the Second Deemster
Deemster
A deemster is a judge in the Isle of Man. The High Court of Justice of the Isle of Man is presided over by a deemster or, in the case of the appeal division of that court, a deemster and the Judge of Appeal...
of the Isle of Man, Henry Callow
Henry Callow
Henry Callow CBE was a former Second Deemster in the Isle of Man.He began his career as a Manx advocate and was then appointed High Bailiff in 1969. After 19 years in the post, he was made Second Deemster until retiring in 1993. In 1994, he was awarded the CBE...
. Deemster Callow thus became the last judge to pass a death sentence (and wear a black cap
Black Cap
In English law, the black cap was worn by a judge when passing a sentence of death. Although it is called a "cap", it is not made to fit the head like a typical cap does; instead it is a simple plain square made of black fabric...
whilst so doing) in the British Isles.