The Last to Die : Ronald Turpin, Arthur Lucas, and the End of Capital Punishment in Canada

Foreword by Peter C. Newman __Short-listed for the 2008 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Non-Fiction__ Although they committed separate crimes, Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin met their deaths on the same scaffold at Toronto’s Don Jail on December 11, 1962. They were the last two people executed in Canada, but surprisingly little was known about them until now. This is the first book to uncover the lives and deaths of Turpin, a Canadian criminal, and Lucas, a Detroit gangster. The result of more than five years of research, __The Last to Die__ is based on original interviews, hidden documents, trial transcripts, and newspaper accounts. Featuring crime scene photos and never-before-published documents, this riveting book also reveals the heroic efforts of lawyer Ross MacKay, who defended both men, and Chaplain Cyril Everitt, who remained with them to the end. What actually happened the night of the hangings is shrouded by myth and rumour. This book finally confirms the truth and reveals the gruesome mistake that cost Arthur Lucas not only his life but also his head. Although They Committed Separate Crimes, Arthur Lucas And Ronald Turpin Met Their Deaths On The Same Scaffold At Toronto's Don Jail On December 11, 1962. They Were The Last Two People Executed In Canada, But Surprisingly Little Was Known About Them Until Now. This Is The First Book To Uncover The Lives And Deaths Of Turpin, A Canadian Criminal, And Lucas, A Detroit Gangster. The Result Of More Than Five Years Of Research, The Last To Die Is Based On Original Interviews, Hidden Documents, Trial Transcripts, And Newspaper Accounts. Featuring Crime Scene Photos And Never-before-published Documents, This Riveting Book Also Reveals The Heroic Efforts Of Lawyer Ross Mackay, Who Defended Both Men, And Chaplain Cyril Everitt, Who Remained With Them To The End. What Actually Happened The Night Of The Hangings Is Shrouded By Myth And Rumour. This Book Finally Confirms The Truth And Reveals The Gruesome Mistake That Cost Arthur Lucas Not Only His Life But Also His Head.--book Jacket. List Of Major Characters -- A Brief Overview Of Capital Punishment In Canada -- Salvation -- Ronald Turpin And Arthur Lucas : Two Of A Kind -- The Cop Meets His Killer -- Things That Go Bump In The Morning -- The Trial Of Arthur Lucas -- The Trial Of Ronald Turpin -- Spare Their Lives -- The Last To Hang -- The Aftermath Robert J. Hoshowsky ; Foreword By Peter C. Newman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-215). TRUE CRIME. The story of Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin, the last two people executed in Canada, who met their gruesome deaths at Torontos Don Jail on December 11, 1962