Glen Sabre Valance
Encyclopedia
Glen Sabre Valance, age 21, was hanged in Adelaide Gaol
for the murder of Richard Strang. He was the last man executed in South Australia
on 24 November 1964.
Born Graham Paul Fraser, he changed his name as a teenager, to Glen Sabre Valance, after Liberty Valance, the title character of a 1962 western film.
then entered the bedroom of Richard and Suzanne Strang. Valance shot and killed Richard Strang as he slept and then raped his wife. Valance escaped by car and drove towards Adelaide, Mrs Strang called Police and Valance was captured at a road block near Murray Bridge. The rifle was in the car with him.
on 17 September 1964. The Supreme Court of South Australia
dismissed his appeal on 9 October and a further application to the High Court of Australia
for leave to appeal was rejected on 9 November. The death sentence was carried out on 24 November.
Adelaide Gaol
Adelaide Gaol was an Australian prison located in Thebarton, South Australia, Australia. The gaol was the first permanent one in South Australia and operated from 1841 until 1988...
for the murder of Richard Strang. He was the last man executed in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
on 24 November 1964.
Born Graham Paul Fraser, he changed his name as a teenager, to Glen Sabre Valance, after Liberty Valance, the title character of a 1962 western film.
Motive
Valance claimed he had a grievance with Strang. Valance once worked for Strang but was sacked because Strang accused him of theft. Strang had legal proceeding against Valance accusing him of theft while Valance claimed Strang had owed him the money and it was Strang's fault he had his car repossessed.Crime
In the early hours of 16 June 1964, Glen Valance tied up three station hands at the Koonroon property near Bordertown, South AustraliaBordertown, South Australia
Bordertown is a small South Australian town near the Victorian border. It is where the Dukes Highway and the railway line, the two main routes between Adelaide and Melbourne, cross Tatiara Creek....
then entered the bedroom of Richard and Suzanne Strang. Valance shot and killed Richard Strang as he slept and then raped his wife. Valance escaped by car and drove towards Adelaide, Mrs Strang called Police and Valance was captured at a road block near Murray Bridge. The rifle was in the car with him.
Trial and Sentence
Valance pleaded insanity but was found guilty and sentenced to death by South Australian state Chief Justice Sir Mellis NapierMellis Napier
Sir Thomas John Mellis Napier KCMG was a judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia between 28 February 1924 and 28 February 1967, and Chief Justice of South Australia from 25 February 1942 until 28 February 1967.-Honours:...
on 17 September 1964. The Supreme Court of South Australia
Supreme Court of South Australia
The Supreme Court of South Australia is the superior court for the Australian State of South Australia. It has unlimited jurisdiction within the state in civil matters, and hears the most serious criminal matters. The Supreme Court is the highest South Australian court in the Australian court...
dismissed his appeal on 9 October and a further application to the High Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
for leave to appeal was rejected on 9 November. The death sentence was carried out on 24 November.