CANADA DEATH PENALTY INDEX
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
All executions were by hanging. Beginning in 1919 all executions were carried out at Oakalla Prison in Burnaby. Notable executions include a group of 5 Natives who attacked a road crew and the only known time in Canada that 3 brothers were hanged together.


VANCOUVER ISLAND (1849-1866)
Vancouver Island was explored by the Spanish and British. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 split the former Oregon Country with the United States and Britain. Vancouver Island became a Crown Colony in 1849 with Victoria being the capital. The rest of the British share of Oregon Country was designated the colony of British Columbia in 1858. For the years between 1849 and 1866 the Island and the mainland were separately administered colonies.
Name Date Method Location Crime Sex Race Age Occupation Executioner Notes
ZZ 1853 abt January hanged Protection Island murder M Native ? ? ? Son of a chief. Murdered Hudson's Bay Co. shepherd Peter Brown, with another native. Tried aboard the Beaver. Hanged near Nanaimo.
ZZ 1853 abt January hanged Protection Island murder M Native ? ? ? A Cowichan native. Murdered Hudson's Bay Co shepherd Peter Brown, with another native. Tried aboard the Beaver. Hanged near Nanaimo.
Allache 1860 August 25 hanged Victoria murder M Native abt 20 ? ? Stabbed Thomas Brown on 16 Jul 1860.
Charley 1862 February 08 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered Thomas Holmes.
Kaisuc 1863 May 23 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered William Brady at Saltspring Island.
Stalebam 1863 May 23 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered William Brady at Saltspring Island.
Swane a hya 1863 May 23 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered William Brady at Saltspring Island.
Ah-Chee-Wun 1863 Jul 04 hanged Victoria murder M Native elderly chief ? Murdered a naval seaman.
ZZ 1863 Jul 04 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered Frederick Marks and his daughter Caroline on Saturna Island in Apr 1863.
ZZ 1863 Jul 04 hanged Victoria murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered Frederick Marks and his daughter Caroline on Saturna Island in Apr 1863.
ZZ 1864 hanged ? ? ? Native ? ? Williams, John 1 of 2 hanged by an inmate.
ZZ 1864 hanged ? ? ? Native ? ? Williams, John 1 of 2 hanged by an inmate.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA (1858-1866)
The land that is now British Columbia used to belong to the Hudson's Bay Co. and known as Oregon Country. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 drew the United States-Canada border through it along the 49th parallel. In 1858 the British portion of the former Oregon Country, minus Vancouver Island, became the colony of British Columbia. In 1863 Stikine Territory (now northern BC) and the Queen Charlotte Islands were amalgamated with British Columbia.
Name Date Method Location Crime Sex Race Age Occupation Executioner Notes
Wall, Robert 1861 August 23 hanged Yale murder M white ? ? ? Shot Dr. Fife on 5 Jul 1861.
Tahak 1863 January 06 hanged New Westminster murder M Native ? ? Burke Shot 2 men near Ft Simpson.
Storm, George 1863 November hanged Lillooet murder M white late 20's gambler ? Shot a courier named Clegg.
Chessus 1864 October 26 hanged Quesnellemouth (Quesnel) murder M Native ? ? ? Part of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
Klatsassin 1864 October 26 hanged Quesnellemouth (Quesnel) murder M Native late 30's native chief, packer for a road crew ? Leader of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
Piell 1864 October 26 hanged Quesnellemouth (Quesnel) murder M Native late teens ? ? Part of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
Tahpit 1864 October 26 hanged Quesnellemouth (Quesnel) murder M Native ? ? ? Part of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
Telloot 1864 October 26 hanged Quesnellemouth (Quesnel) murder M Native elderly native chief, packer for a road crew ? Part of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
Chacotomakah 1864 November 21 hanged New Westminster murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered John Holmes near Bella Bella.
Ahan 1865 July 18 hanged New Westminster murder M Native ? native chief, warrior ? Part of a group that killed 13 construction workers.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA (1866-1871)
In 1866 the two colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia were politically merged.
Name Date Method Location Crime Sex Race Age Occupation Executioner Notes
Barry, James 1867 August 12 hanged Richfield murder M white ? gambler ? Murdered Charles Blessing and stole his gold.
Palsk, Nikel 1867 August 12 hanged Richfield murder M Native ? ? ? Killed a white man at Soda Creek. Hanged with James Barry.
Stackeye abt 1869 hanged ? murder M Native ? ? ? Killed Alfred Ferry with an ax.
Tshuanahusset 1869 hanged Victoria murder M Native 26 salmon and venison dealer ? Murdered William Robinson, a black settler on Saltspring Island. Hanged at Police Barracks.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA (1871-PRESENT)

The colony of British Columbia joined confederation in 1871. All executions from this point on were under Canadian jurisdiction.

Name Date Method Location Crime Sex Race Age Occupation Executioner Notes
Bell, George William 1872 November 05 hanged Victoria murder M white ? sailor, miner ? Murdered Thomas Datson on 25 Jun 1872. Trial took place in Nanaimo. Execution order approved in Ottawa on 10 Sep 1872.
Schooley, Thomas 1874 May 22 hanged Victoria murder M white 38 ? ? Murdered Henry Foreman while drunk.
Johnson, Atton 1879 October 01 hanged Laketon murder M Native ? ? Crimp, Provincial Constable J.L. Stabbed George Jenkinson.
Wyachute 1879 October 13 hanged ? murder M Native 25 ? ? Shot Fork Sing Wong during a robbery on 13 Nov 1877. Trial was in Clinton.
Hare, Alex 1881 January 31 hanged New Westminster murder M Metis 19 ? O'Brien Murdered 2 men while being arrested for horse theft.
McLean, Allan 1881 January 31 hanged New Westminster murder M Metis 26 ? O'Brien Murdered 2 men while being arrested for horse theft.
McLean, Archie 1881 January 31 hanged New Westminster murder M Metis 17 ? O'Brien Murdered 2 men while being arrested for horse theft.
McLean, Charlie 1881 January 31 hanged New Westminster murder M Metis 19 ? O'Brien Murdered 2 men while being arrested for horse theft.
Lakka 1883 September 07 hanged New Westminster murder M Native ? ? ? Lakka and fellow Chilcotin Indian M. Lope murdered 2 Chinese men. The double hanging was witnessed by many Chinese people from high ground outside the jail yard.
Lope, Mete 1883 September 07 hanged New Westminster murder M Native ? ? ? Lope and fellow Chilcotin Indian Lakka murdered 2 Chinese men. The double hanging was witnessed by many Chinese people from high ground outside the jail yard.
Robertson, William Robert 1884 March 13 hanged New Westminster murder M Metis 19 ? ? Murdered Richard Bailey.
Lemon, Edward 1884 May 31 hanged Victoria murder M Native 20 farmer ? He lived in the Cowichan area. Murdered an Indian named Johnny.
Rogers, Charles Joseph 1885 January 28 hanged Victoria murder M white 28 prison guard, former London, Eng. police officer ? Shot fellow prison guard, William Sterry, on 4 Nov 1884 over a dispute. Occurred in a residence for guards of New Westminster Penitentiary.
Lataguna 1886 February 05 hanged Nanaimo murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered Quongkakatakis on 3 Nov 1885 in Salmon River. Also known as Tattaguna or Kayawass.
Sproule, Robert Evan 1886 October 29 hanged Victoria murder M ? ? prospector ? Shot Thomas Hammill over a mineral claim dispute.
Mallotte, Albert 1886 November 01 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 30 bar keeper ? Murdered Andrew Johnson on 9 Aug 1885.
Suet, Ah 1886 November 01 hanged New Westminster murder M oriental ? ? ? Murdered a Chinese man. Trial was in Yale.
Chow, Ah 1887 November 18 hanged Lytton murder M oriental ? ? ? Murdered Ah Sue on 25 Feb 1887.
Fat Ah 1888 January 30 hanged Victoria murder M oriental ? ? ? Murdered Gwee Tew. Tried by Judge Begbie.
Tsimequor 1888 December 12 hanged Nanaimo murder M Native ? ? ? Murdered someone named Moise.
Jones, William Henry 1889 January 09 hanged New Westminster murder M white ? ? ? Shot Edward Durand. Trial was in New Westminster.
Spencer, Frank 1890 July 21 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 32 ? ? Murdered someone named Foster.
Slumach 1891 January 16 hanged New Westminster murder M Native elderly ? ? Killed Louis Bee.
Teragnolo, Dominick 1893 January 16 hanged Nanaimo murder M ? 35 ? ? On 28 Sept 1892 murdered John Cavarello, believing the man to be his wife's lover. Hanged with Lin Kee.
Kee, Lin 1893 January 16 hanged Nanaimo murder M oriental 30 fish cannery worker ? Robbed a safe and shot his co-conspirators.
Stroebel, Albert 1894 January 30 hanged Victoria murder M ? ? ? ? Murdered John Marshall.
Lynn, Hugh 1894 August 24 hanged New Westminster murder M ? 35 ? ? Murdered John Green on 27 Oct 1893 on Savary Island.
Victor, Louis 1895 January 17 hanged New Westminster murder M ? 29 ? ? Trial was in New Westminster.
Woods, James 1897 August 25 hanged Nelson murder M ? 26 ? ? Murdered Samuel Woods.
Doyle, John 1898 April 22 hanged Nelson murder M ? 30 ? ? Shot Dennis Conners on 13 Feb 1898 in Kushonook.
Casimir 1899 June 02 hanged Kamloops murder M Native 36 ? Radclive, John Shot Philip Walker.
Perrier, Donald 1899 June 30 hanged New Westminster murder M ? 28 ? Radclive, John Murdered Annie Anderson.
Luck, Yip 1900 November 16 hanged New Westminster murder M oriental 45 ? Armstrong, Sheriff Murdered Chief Constable S. Main.
Paiquette, Louis 1902 June 03 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 56 ? ? Murdered Fred Legère.
Rose, Henry 1902 November 21 hanged Nelson murder M ? ? ? ? Murdered John Cole.
Louie, Alexander 1903 July 24 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 23 ? ? Shot someone named Julien on 1 Apr 1903.
Frith, Alfred James Ernest 1903 November 27 hanged Victoria murder M ? 49 storehouseman Radclive, John Shot Frederick Bailey on 27 June 1903.
Maida, Kenju 1903 December 11 hanged Nanaimo murder M oriental 30 ? ? Murdered Domey Deguchi and Joe Osaki on 15 Aug 1903 in Cedar District (central Vancouver Island).
Bell, Joshua 1905 January 13 hanged Kamloops murder M black 32 ? Radclive, John Stabbed his mistress, Annie Allen.
Kledamkdinahn, Tom 1905 July 25 hanged New Westminster murder M Native 40 ? ? Cut Kwasitt's throat on 9 Sep 1904 in Nawhittie.
Chewilna, Alexander 1906 January 05 hanged Kamloops murder M ? ? ? Radclive, John Shot Nicholas Hopkins on 13 Apr 1905. Known as Wild Alex. Radclive requested a fee of $130 to perform this hanging.
Featherstone, Robert Styles 1906 December 12 hanged Victoria murder M ? 42 mill sawyer Radclive, John Murdered Mary Jane Dalton in South Wellington on 21 July 1906.
Dale, James A. 1907 July 18 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 31 ? ? Shot Joseph Celle and Pierre Gauderaw in Carmi on 14 Oct 1906.
Kee, You Chung 1907 December 04 hanged Kamloops murder M oriental 60 ? ? Murdered Chu Hong on 9 Jul 1906 in Bullion.
Ceddio, Francesco 1908 July 31 hanged Kamloops murder M white 28 ? ? Killed Louise King during the bombing of the Canada Hotel on 26 Nov 1906 in Niagara.
Lee, Chung 1908 December 18 hanged New Westminster murder M ? 33 ? Radclive, John Murdered Young Ah Hing on 27 Jul 1908 in Vancouver. This was a triple-hanging with Jenkins and Pertella.
Jenkins, James 1908 December 18 hanged New Westminster murder M black 34 ? Radclive, John Raped Mary Morrison and cut her throat near Hazelmere.
Pertella, John 1908 December 18 hanged New Westminster murder M black 44 ? Radclive, John Beat a Mrs. Jenkins in Vancouver.
Yoshikawa, T. 1909 December 10 hanged New Westminster murder M oriental ? ? ? Stabbed someone named Motoyoshi on 10 Jun 1909 at Port Essington.
Basil 1910 July 20 hanged Kamloops murder M Native 18 ? ? Shot Sat Chew during a robbery on 25 Apr 1908 at Dog Creek.
Louis, Ernest 1910 July 20 hanged Kamloops murder M Native 19 ? ? Shot Sat Chew during a robbery on 25 Apr 1908 at Dog Creek.
Kengo, Ishimura 1910 July 22 hanged New Westminster murder M oriental 27 ? ? Stabbed someone named Nishizawa on 18 Dec 1909 in White Rock.
Ishii 1911 December 05 hanged New Westminster murder M oriental 27 ? English, Arthur Shot someone named Kabashi on 6 Jun 1911 at the Skeena River.
Jobes, Henry A. 1911 December 05 hanged New Westminster murder M white 50 machinist's assistant English, Arthur Shot his wife, Sarah Jobes, on 3 Jun 1911 in New Westminster.
James, Walter 1912 August 09 hanged Kamloops murder M white 20 US army (deserted) English, Arthur Shot Constable Geoffrey H. Aston while escaping from custody.
Takahashi, S. 1912 August 09 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 35 ? English, Arthur Murdered K. Omari.
Smith, Joseph 1913 January 31 hanged New Westminster murder M white 24 sailor ? Shot prison guard J.H. Joynson during an escape.
Wagner, Henry 1913 August 28 hanged Nanaimo murder M white 48 career criminal English, Arthur Shot Constable Harry Westaway.
Splintlum, Paul 1913 December 12 hanged Kamloops murder M Native ? ? English, Arthur Shot Constable Alex Kindness near Clinton on 3 May 1912.
Clark, Herman F. 1914 May 15 hanged New Westminster murder M white 23 ? ? Shot Constable James Archibald.
Davis, Frank 1914 May 15 hanged New Westminster murder M ? ? ? ? Shot Constable James Archibald.
Onookie, George 1914 July 31 hanged Kamloops murder M white 24 labourer ? Hit Harry Porters with a brick on 24 Sep 1913 in South Fort George.
Suttie, Robert 1915 January 05 hanged Victoria murder M ? 46 ? ? Murdered Richard Hargreaves.
Singh, Mewa 1915 January 11 hanged New Westminster murder M ? ? ? ? Murdered Immigration Inspector Hopkinson.
Ragmal 1915 February 13 hanged New Westminster murder M ? ? ? ? Murdered someone named Sibou during a robbery.
Perrault, Charles 1915 July 09 hanged Kamloops murder M ? ? ? ? Murdered Adeline Jack.
McKillarney, Terence 1915 August 03 hanged New Westminster murder M white 27 ? ? Shot Vancouver Detective Richard Levis.
Roy, Charles 1915 August 13 hanged Kamloops murder M ? 38 ? ? Murdered Mike Symyk.
Clinger, Albert Lester 1915 December 23 hanged Kamloops murder M white 31 ? ? Shot someone named Smith during a robbery on 20 Jan 1915 near Ten Mile Creek.
Ferranto, Rocco 1916 August 15 hanged New Westminster murder M white 32 railway employee ? Cut Nick Forcale's throat on 22 Dec 1915 in Coghlan.
Jones, Frank 1917 January 17 hanged New Westminster murder M Native 33 ? ? Shot Gus Hall on 7 Oct 1916 near Popcom.
Ignace, Alex 1919 August 29 hanged Burnaby murder M Native 23 ? ? Shot his wife, Minnie, on 7 Jan 1919 at Kamloops Reserve. First prisoner hanged at Oakalla Prison. All following executions in British Columbia take place here.
Paulson, Alexander 1922 July 28 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 25 ? ? Murdered William Salsbury during a robbery. Crime committed with A. Robinson who was also hanged.
Robinson, Allen 1922 July 28 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 19 ? ? Murdered William Salsbury during a robbery. Crime committed with A. Paulson who was also hanged.
Chong, Sam Bow 1925 January 15 hanged Burnaby murder M oriental 47 ? ? Shot John Clayton Jones on 18 Jul 1923 in Vancouver.
Baker, Owen Benjamin 1926 January 14 hanged Burnaby murder M white 38 ? English, Arthur Shot W.J. and William Gillis while hijacking their boat off Sydney island on 15 Sept 1924.
Sowash, Harry F. 1926 January 14 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 25 ? English, Arthur Shot W.J. and William Gillis while hijacking their boat off Sydney island on 15 Sept 1924.
Debortoli, Alex 1926 July 14 hanged Burnaby murder M white 41 blacksmith ? Stabbed his lover, Pearl Traversey, on 26 Nov 1925 in Vancouver.
Pasquale, Benito 1926 July 14 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 50 ? ? Murdered Anne Roedde.
Bailey, Kenneth Roosevelt 1928 January 09 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 25 ? English, Arthur Shot Charles Jury in Trail on 24 Jun 1927. Hanged with Y. Yoaki.
Yoaki, Yuight 1928 January 09 hanged Burnaby murder M oriental 31 ? English, Arthur Hit Taka Takehashi with an ax on 11 Sep 1927 in Vancouver. Hanged with K. Bailey.
Nassa, Dominico 1929 July 03 hanged Burnaby murder M white 25 carpenter, miner ? Shot Antonio Agostino on 10 Dec 1928 in Vancouver.
Sowery, Michael 1931 August 14 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 52 ? ? Murdered Joseph and Annie Babchuk.
Matkoff, Bill 1931 September 04 hanged Burnaby murder M white 40 labourer ? Shot John Prosow on 28 Nov 1930 in Cranbrook.
Hitomi, Tadao 1931 December 30 hanged Burnaby murder M oriental 51 fisherman. labourer ? Insurance-related ax murder of Moakich Watanabe on 29 Mar 1931 in Vancouver. Crime committed with Sakurada, S.
Sakurada, Shinkicki 1931 December 30 hanged Burnaby murder M oriental 41 labourer, quack doctor ? Insurance-related ax murder of Moakich Watanabe on 29 Mar 1931 in Vancouver. Crime committed with Hitomi, T.
George, Eneas 1936 November 06 hanged Burnaby murder M Native 41 rancher ? Beat constables Frank Gisbourne and Percival Carr.
George, Richardson 1936 November 06 hanged Burnaby murder M Native 31 ? ? Beat constables Frank Gisbourne and Percival Carr.
Russell, Charles 1936 November 06 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 24 ? ? Shot teller William Hobbs during a bank robbery on 15 Jan 1936 in Vancouver. See also E. Dunbar.
Dunbar, Earl 1936 November 27 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 32 mechanic ? Shot teller William Hobbs during a bank robbery on 15 Jan 1936 in Vancouver. See also C. Russell.
Macchlone, Vincent 1938 October 26 hanged Burnaby murder M white 36 railroad section hand ? Shot Michael Hudock, the husband of his mistress, on 9 Feb 1936 near Fernie. Tried and convicted 3 times.
Wright, R.A. 1939 June 16 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 68 ? ? Murdered his wife, Dulcie Track.
Sylvester, Frank 1941 January 24 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 21 ? ? Murdered Frank Lundy and E.H. Forster.
Beatty, Douglas Robert 1943 November 22 hanged Burnaby murder M white 28 soldier ? Shot Philip Davis during a robbery on 3 Oct 1942.
Hainen, William James 1945 October 20 hanged Burnaby murder M white 29 miner, soldier ? Hit Olga Hawryluk with a piece of wood during a robbery on 2 May 1945 in Vancouver.
Prince, Alexander 1945 November 28 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 24 ? ? Murdered 2 men during a robbery.
Potter, Byron Bruce 1946 January 10 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 50 ? ? Jealousy-related murder of Edna Rogers.
Medos, Harry 1947 October 01 hanged Burnaby murder M white 23 labourer ? Shot Constables Charles Boyes and Oliver Ledingham. Hanged with D. Houston.
Houston, Davis 1947 October 01 hanged Burnaby murder M Metis 29 logger ? Raped Beatrice Smith and hit her with a piece of wood on 3 Nov 1946 at a logging camp in Belize Inlet.
Prestyko, Walter 1950 February 28 hanged Burnaby murder M white 34 machine operator ? Murdered Mr. and Mrs. Geluch during a robbery.
Worobec, William John 1950 February 28 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 38 ? ? Murdered Mr. and Mrs. Geluch during a robbery.
Ducharme, Frederick Rodger 1950 July 14 hanged Burnaby murder M white 37 lumber piler ? Raped and murdered Blanche Fisher on 9 Nov 1949 in Vancouver.
Ouelette, Joseph Arthur 1951 May 29 hanged Burnaby murder M black/white 22 farm labourer ? Shot Mah Sing and Lee On during a robbery on 22 Nov 1949 near Vernon.
Davidoff, John Michael 1951 December 11 hanged Burnaby murder M white 48 labourer ? Shot his son, Joe Davidoff, on 16 Apr 1951 near Brilliant to collect insurance money.
Cunningham, Arthur Bruce 1952 August 05 hanged Burnaby murder M white 65 labourer ? Shot Albert Thorson during a robbery on 18 Sep 1951 near Endako.
Viatkin, Alexander 1953 January 20 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 24 ? ? Murdered Joseph Hyland during a robbery.
Matthews, Charles 1953 November 10 hanged Burnaby murder M black 20 boxer ? Hit Los Angeles Smith with a hammer on 4 Mar 1953 in Vancouver. Also known as Sonny Jones.
Bordeniuk, Peter 1955 March 29 hanged Burnaby murder M white 60 fisherman, lumberman ? Shot his common-law wife, Anna Plesko, on 14 Aug 1954 in Alert Bay.
Hoodley, Robert Alexander 1955 May 17 hanged Burnaby murder M white 21 logger ? Shot John Rudolph Tonick on 13 Nov 1954 in Vancouver.
Vincent, Lawrence Brian 1955 June 14 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 28 carnival shooting gallery operator ? Raped Donna Corbett, age 12, and strangled her with a shoelace in Sept 1953.
Graham, Robert 1956 May 22 hanged Burnaby murder M ? 24 ? ? Kicked Harold Holman on 20 Aug 1955 in Vancouver.
Buck, Evan Gordon 1957 February 19 hanged Burnaby murder M white 29 logger ? Raped and murdered Mabel Rinderer age 9 on 9 Sep 1956 near William Lake.
Gordon, Joseph 1957 April 02 hanged Burnaby murder M white 37 ? ? Shot Constable Gordon Sinclair.
Eaton, Gerald Edward 1957 July 16 hanged Burnaby murder M white 51 ferry worker ? Raped and murdered Carolynne Moore, age 8, in April 1956. The hanging was witnessed by the girl's father.
Mantha, Leo Anthony 1959 April 28 hanged Burnaby murder M white 32 navy chief petty officer (discharged), tugboat worker Blanchard, Camille Stabbed his gay lover at the Esquimalt navy base. Last execution in British Columbia.

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