Age: 24
Sex: male
Crime: murder
Date Of Execution: 6 Apr 1844
Execution Place: Horsham
Method: hanging
Executioner: unknown
Source: http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/1837.html
John Lawrence was convicted of the murder of Police Superintendent Henry Solomon the chief officer of Brighton.
He had hit him with a poker whilst being interviewed regarding the theft of a roll of carpet but said that it was on an impulse and if he had been able to think about it for one moment he would not have done it and didnt have any malice towards Solomon and was drunk at the time and didnt know where he was about.
John Lawrence had been arrested in St James' Street and was at the Brighton Police station being interviewed regarding the theft of a roll of carpet from a shop. He was in an agitated state and when left for a moment he went over to the fireplace and picked up a poker wich he hit Henry Solomon with causing the poker to bend.
He was hanged at the top of Horsham Gaol.
see Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 12 April 1844
see Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 30 March 1844
see Wikipedia
see The Spi
