Iraqi executioners “read the book” — apparently, didn’t learn anything
Techniques perfected by the renowned British
hangman Albert Pierrepoint were said to have been studied by the Iraqi
executioners. If that is so, then the most prolific British executioner of the
20th century would have been horrified by the decapitation of Barzan
al-Tikriti.
Techniques perfected by the renowned British hangman Albert Pierrepoint were said to have been studied by the Iraqi executioners. If that is so, then the most prolific British executioner of the 20th century would have been horrified by the decapitation of Barzan al-Tikriti.
Most important was the art of judging the “drop” — the length of rope required to kill the condemned as quickly and painlessly as possible. Too long and the force of the fall would decapitate the prisoner — as happened in Baghdad — too short and it would slowly strangle him.
Mr Pierrepoint carefully recorded the height and weight of those to be executed in a series of log books. The length of drop was calculated using the 1913 Official Government Table of Drops.
During his 25-year career, first as assistant and later chief hangman, he dispatched 433 men and 17 women.
After resigning in 1956 Pierrepoint wrote: “Capital punishment in my view achieved nothing except revenge.”
Is revenge good enough reason?
Posted: Tue - January 16, 2007 at 07:30 AM