William John Maynard

Case record

William John Maynard was executed by hanging at Exeter Prison on 27th July 1928.

Background

William John Maynard earned a good living as a rabbit trapper in his home town of Poundstock, Cornwall. His traps (over a thousand) were in place in most of the farms in the area and he needed two assistants to run the business.

Richard Francis Roadley (84) lived a few miles from Poundstock and occupied a cottage at Titson. Although Roadley lived in terribly squalid circumstances, it was a popular rumour that the old man was an eccentric sitting on a tidy sum. It was also rumoured that Roadley kept a hoard of money in his isolated cottage in the hamlet of Titson, near Marhamchurch, Bude, Cornwall.

The offence

On Sunday afternoon, 19 February 1928, Roadley was found battered about the head in his cottage. Roadley died before he could be taken to hospital. The house had been rifled and the contents of the drawers were strewn across the floor.

Maynard was 36-year-old. On 18th February 1928, Maynard broke into Richard Roadley’s squalid cottage and battered the old man prior to stealing anything of any value. Roadley buried his gains on his father's nearby farm.

Investigation

Maynard was interviewed as part of the routine inquiries and denied any involvement. There was nothing to suggest he was not telling the truth and the officers left.

The next day, he made another statement and admitted that on the night of the murder he had called at the house with an accomplice. Maynard claimed that he had waited outside while his friend went in to see what he could thieve. When the old man offered resistance, the accomplice beat him to death.

Maynard then told police where they could find two stolen watches.

Arrest and co-accused

The man Maynard blamed for the murder was able to satisfy the police that he was in no way involved. As part of his attempted shift of blame, Maynard faced the accusation that the partner for the break-in was another man, Harris. Harris had an alibi.

Trial

Maynard found himself before Mr Justice Swift at the June sitting of Bodmin Assizes. He reiterated his statement that the accomplice committed the crime but the man's alibi was strong and the jury took only a short time to return a guilty verdict.

Sentencing

Maynard was hanged by Thomas Pierrepoint and Thomas Phillips.

Outcome

Maynard was found guilty of murder and was hanged at Exeter Prison on 27th July 1928 for a crime attributed to "elemental avarice."