Please help !!
Ronald ryan wrote a short letter prior to his hanging with the words "ten commandments" in it, i desperately could do with knowing the contents of this letter to enable me to finish a project i have ongoing, many thanks in anticipation
replied to: t3ded
Replied to: Please help !!
Ronald ryan wrote a short letter prior to...
I'm sorry I cannot help you with the letter, but you may find something out if you contact Mike Richards, the author of the book "The Hanged Man: The Life and Death of Ronald Ryan", or the family of the late Ian Grindlay, the Governor of Pentridge Prison at the time. Grindlay was said to have known Ryan well.
replied to: Galen
Replied to: I'm sorry I cannot help you with the letter, but you...
The letter contained a quote by Shakespeare, which was in support of his innocence. It was addressed to his denfense lawyer. I suggest you don't rely on Mike Richards or Ian Grindlay accounts of the truth. Both had their own secret agendas for making unproven allegations against Ryan.
Fact is, that nobody knew Ryan better than his confidante catholic priest Father John Brosnan. On March 26, 2003 Brosnan clearly quashed unproven allegations made by Richards and Grindlay that Ryan had verbally confessed guilt. Brosnan was interviewed on national radio by The Australian Broadcasting Commission just months prior to his death. Brosnan was often asked by media journalists about Ryan’s guilt and who it was believed fired the fatal shot. Brosnan clearly replied on Australian national radio;“I don't know whose bullet killed who, but a friend of mine (Ryan) died". In addition, Brosnan' comments about Ryan were supported by The Catholic Archdiocese. In February 2003, The Catholic Southern Cross News published an article by Catholic Bishop O’Kelly on Father Brosnan. O’Kelly wrote;“For 30 years Father Brosnan was Pentridge Prison chaplain. He knew Ryan very well. Brosnan accompanied Ryan to the gallows and gave Ryan’s body the last rights. Brosnan was convinced and always believed Ryan was innocent".
Fact is, there are no official records anywhere, neither is there any written or signed evidence whatsoever, to support any allegations of verbals and confessions said to have been made by Ryan. Also, there is no scientific ballistic forensic evidence whatsoever, to prove Ryan was guilty.
(References)
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s817259.htm
http://www.adelaide.catholic.org.au/sites/SouthernCross/Features?more=1464
http://www.vicbar.com.au/webdata/VicBarNewsFiles/122%20Correspondance.pdf
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ergo/ronald_ryan
http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/last-man-hanged/
