David Wilson (murderer)
Encyclopedia
David Wilson was a convicted murder
er and the second person to be executed
by Saint Kitts and Nevis
since it became a sovereign state in 1983.
In February 1996, Wilson and Clement Thomas were convicted of beating a security guard
to death in 1994. Wilson was sentenced to death by the trial judge, and his appeal was upheld by the appeal court. After the appeal court's judgment, Governor-General Clement Arrindell
signed Wilson's death warrant
, and he was executed by hanging
on 20 July 1998. It was the first execution in Saint Kitts and Nevis since 1985.
Wilson's execution was controversial because it was carried out before he was able to appeal his case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
in London
, which is the supreme court
for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
er and the second person to be executed
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...
by Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis , located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign state in the Americas, in both area and population....
since it became a sovereign state in 1983.
In February 1996, Wilson and Clement Thomas were convicted of beating a security guard
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
to death in 1994. Wilson was sentenced to death by the trial judge, and his appeal was upheld by the appeal court. After the appeal court's judgment, Governor-General Clement Arrindell
Clement Arrindell
Sir Clement Athelston Arrindell GCMG GCVO QC was Governor of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 1981-83 and Governor-General upon the island's independence in 1983...
signed Wilson's death warrant
Execution warrant
An execution warrant is a writ which authorizes the execution of a judgment of death on an individual...
, and he was executed by hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
on 20 July 1998. It was the first execution in Saint Kitts and Nevis since 1985.
Wilson's execution was controversial because it was carried out before he was able to appeal his case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is one of the highest courts in the United Kingdom. Established by the Judicial Committee Act 1833 to hear appeals formerly heard by the King in Council The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is one of the highest courts in the United...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which is the supreme court
Supreme court
A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, instance court, judgment court, high court, or apex court...
for Saint Kitts and Nevis.
External links
- Amnesty InternationalAmnesty InternationalAmnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, "St Kitts and Nevis: First hanging in 13 years – a backward step for the Caribbean", press release, 1998-07-20, accessed 2008-08-08