TNAG-0723-FCO40-921-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 3

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Wir Stratton

FS/Hr Rowlands

CONFIDENTIAL

HKGD.

Minister

302

Ben,

Note

oted Mf

79

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES: REPORT ON OUTSTANDING CASES

1.

MONTHLY

Since the beginning of December two of the three outstanding

capital cases have been resolved in the Dependent Territories.

In Montserrat, the Governor has reprieved Samuel Greenaway after his local Mercy Council declined to advise him on the case.

were no significant local repercussions.

2.

In Bermuda, the Court of Appeal in considering the Chesterfield Johnson case, held that the trial judge had been

There

wrong to withhold from the jury manslaughter as a possible verdict. They therefore substituted a sentence of life imprisonment for the original death sentence. This decision, too, was accepted locally without causing any serious reactions.

3.

The only outstanding case now is that of Clayton Raynor in Bermuda, who was charged with arson and murder at the Southampton Princess Hotel during the December 1977 disturbances. Raynor's trial was held this month and on 19 December, the jury found him guilty of arson, but failed to agree on the murder charge. No decision has yet been taken on whether there is to be a retrial on the second charge.

28 December 1978

Copies to:

Private Secretary

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

PS/Mr Luard

PS/PUS

Sir A Duff

Mr Hall

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Rushford

Mr Stephen

Mr Posnett

WIAD

News Department

W.E. Chantill

WE Quantrill

Hong Kong and General Department

R.D. Salton

21 Jec. HKG. 380/1

19.9

Mer.

CONFIDENTIAL

11f

79