Unveiling events on November 30th in the annals of True Crime History, we delve into a rich tapestry of human experiences marked by tales of justice served, tragic occurrences, and episodes of infamous notoriety.
1796: Francis Morgan Meets a Grisly End on Sydney Harbour’s Pinchgut Island
In the year 1796 on this day, the scenic Pinchgut Island, nestled in Sydney Harbour, bore witness to a horrific event. In the present times, it is renowned for Fort Denison’s iconic status. However, its history holds a macabre tale involving a convict named Francis Morgan, who meets a horrifying end on this tiny island.
Francis Morgan’s journey to Pinchgut Island can be traced back to 1793 when he reached New South Wales as a convict aboard the ship Sugar Cane. He survived a convict mutiny attempt on their voyage to Sydney.
Before his descent into the colony life, Morgan had a shady past. He was tried in Dublin, Ireland, for the murder of a man whose watch he was found wearing. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was ultimately changed to a life of transportation.
Not long after his arrival in Sydney, Morgan’s violent demeanour resurfaced. In October 1796, he lethally bashed Simon Raven on the harbour’s northern shores. This gruesome act consequently led to Morgan’s second death sentence.
Francis Morgan received a morbid piece of news while awaiting his execution. His body was to be hung in chains on Pinchgut Island, in accordance with the Murder Act of 1751, serving as a grim deterrent to others.
Morgan, however, remarked positively about the magnificent harbour view his ghastly perch would provide. For a period of at least four years, the lifeless body of Francis Morgan was left hanging in the centre of Sydney Harbour, a grim memento of a life gone tragically astray.
1796: John Lawler and Martin McEwin Face their Tragic End for Robbing Public Stores
On this very day in 1796, Sydney witnessed the grim execution of John Lawler (a convict) and Martin McEwin (a soldier) as they paid dearly with their lives for committing the crime of robbing public stores.
Despite the seemingly minor offence of stealing food, they met the same doomed fate as a murderer, Francis Morgan, marring the early history of the colony.
Both John Lawler and Martin McEwin were executed, with their final resting place at the Old Sydney Burial Ground, today recognized as Town Hall in the heart of Sydney. This burial ground remained in use until January 1820 and saw an estimated 2240 burials. In an excavation carried out in 2008, 66 remaining graves were discovered in the Town Hall basement.
1900: The World Bids Farewell to Literary Genius Oscar Wilde
The year 1900 marked the loss of one of the most outstanding and disputable figures in the literary world — Oscar Wilde. Known for his quick-witted humour and flamboyant style, the Irish writer spent his final moments in a Paris hotel room.
Unfortunately, Wilde’s life took a tragic turn when he was prosecuted for “gross indecency” due to his homosexual associations. After his release, he fled England and settled in France to escape the judgemental societal norms of Victorian England, where he stayed in a modest hotel room with dull wallpaper.
It is believed that Wilde, on his deathbed, commented on the room’s wallpaper, “One of us had to go.” It was a deeply touching and ironic remark reflecting the struggles he had encountered throughout his life. The departure of Oscar Wilde marked the end of an era.
Despite the melancholy end, his sharp wit, humour, and idiosyncratic perspectives continue to be celebrated in today’s literature world.
1962: Andrews Meets His End After a Depraved Act
On this day, the year 1962 witnessed the end of a disturbing saga as Lowell Lee Andrews, a 22-year-old University of Kansas student, was executed by hanging for the horrifying murders of his beloved mother, father, and sister.
What transpired on the night of November 28, 1958, was shocking as Andrews cold-heartedly shot down his parents, William and Opal Andrews, along with his 20-year-old sister, Jennie, in their humble home in Wichita, Kansas. The entire nation was horror-stricken as the gruesome details of the family tragedy surfaced.
Single-mindedly trying to deflect suspicion, Andrews reported the murders to the police and fabricated a story about an unknown intruder. However, the police soon concentrated their inquiries on Andrews as their investigation slowly unravelled pieces of damning evidence.
A massive insurance policy taken by Andrews on his family prior to the murders, and after the murders, the murder weapon traced back to him, thoroughly destroyed his façade.
During his trial, Andrews confessed to his horrid crimes, revealing the sinister motives behind them — the allure of insurance payout and a desire for emancipation from what he perceived as his family’s restrictive control. Justice prevailed as Lowell Lee Andrews met his inevitable end, hanging at the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas.
1989: The Onset of Aileen Wuornos’s Killing Spree
On this day in 1989, an eerie chapter unfolded in the life of Aileen Wuornos, identified as one of America’s notorious female serial killers.
Aileen, a victim of abuse and exploitation herself, found herself steering down a path that led to a string of horrific murders. Eking out a living through prostitution, Aileen’s path crossed with Richard Mallory, a convicted rapist, on this unfortunate night. As per Aileen, the encounter took a terrifying turn when Mallory attempted to ravage her. In what she claimed to be an act of self-defense, she shot him dead.
However, this murder marked the onset of a series of killings by Aileen Wuornos. She later claimed the lives of six more men, raising eyebrows about her motivations and transitioning from prey to predator. As she stood on death row for several years before her execution in 2002, many continued to grapple with the question of whether Aileen was a serial killer, a victim, or perhaps both.
2001: The Green River Serial Killer is Apprehended
This day in 2001 marked a significant advancement in justice delivery as Gary Ridgway, a notorious serial killer, was apprehended. His arrest was a momentous step towards bringing a remorseless murderer to justice.
Better known as the “Green River Killer,” Gary Ridgway confessed to an astonishing 49 murders. His heinous crimes had cast chills in the Pacific Northwest for years, and his capture was only possible due to the dogged investigative work of law enforcement officers.
Ridgway’s path to capture was not without its twists and obstacles. He had been previously arrested on charges related to prostitution back in 1982 and 2001. In 1983, Ridgway’s name surfaced as a suspect for the spine-chilling Green River killings, an accusation that would loom large over his life for many years.
In 1984, Ridgway managed to pass a polygraph test, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation. Yet law enforcement persisted, collecting hair and saliva samples from him in 1987 in an attempt to find any evidence that could link him to the spate of murders. Despite successfully tricking the polygraph, there was no escaping the truth.
Eventually, Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He agreed to a plea deal in 2003 to avoid the death penalty.
2003: The Sorrowful End of Cyclist Ian Humphrey
On this sombre day in 2003, a tragic event unfolded on Kapunda Road in South Australia, marking a lasting imprint in history and eliciting challenging questions about justice and responsibility.
Cyclist Ian Humphrey lost his life when Eugene McGee, a vehicle driver, collided with him in an incident that would cause a stir for years to come. The controversy played out in the following manner: A Hit-and-Run Tragedy: Notably, Eugene McGee, an esteemed Adelaide lawyer, hit and killed Ian Humphrey with his vehicle. Shockingly, he did not halt at the accident scene nor rendered assistance to the severely injured cyclist, adding a hit-and-run dimension to the event, thereby arousing public concern.
Delayed Surrender: In another questionable move, Eugene McGee turned himself in to the authorities a staggering six hours post the collision. This delay ensured further mystery and led to more questions about his actions and motives during those crucial hours.
Alcohol Intake: It was reported that McGee had ingested four or five glasses of wine during lunch on the day of the accident. The fact that he was not subjected to a blood alcohol test raised doubts about whether alcohol-induced impairment was a factor in the collision.
Subsequent Legal Proceedings and Public Outrage: Eugene McGee was faced with legal proceedings following these shocking events. Unfortunately, the verdict resulted in widespread dissatisfaction. He was pronounced guilty of negligent driving and was penalized with a $3,000 fine, with a one-year driving license suspension. This relatively lenient consequence fuelled public outrage.
Calls for Responsibility: Owing to the outcome of the trial and the perceived insufficiency of the penalty, there were widespread protests demanding increased responsibility. Victims’ rights groups and hundreds of cyclists demonstrated, expressing their discontent with the judicial system.
A Royal Commission Investigates: In response to the controversy and public agitation, the South Australian Government commanded a Royal Commission to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the incident. Following the steps of the Royal Commission, further charges were incurred against Eugene McGee. He faced allegations of conspiring to pervert the course of justice and committing the same.
However, after a series of legal developments, including stays of proceedings and a permanent stay, the charges against McGee were eventually dismissed. This further stoked debates about justice and responsibility, leaving questions that remain unanswered even today.
Reflecting on the events of November 30th in True Crime History, we are reminded of the profound impact that crime and its consequent justice have on the fabric of society. These stories serve as a chronicle of the darker aspects of human nature and human history.
