In January of 1959 Robert Chapman, 19 years old, was convicted of murdering his older brother John on a farm a few miles from us. He was sentenced to hang.His parents went to work to have his sentence commuted. I recall that one Sunday in church our minister, Rev. McNair, announced that the mother of the convicted man was seated at the back of our church. Those who wished to could sign a plea for clemency. I was only 13 at the time. But this caught my attention. As I recall, McNair did not encourage the congregation to sign, nor did he discourage them from signing. He did not indicate whether or not he had signed. He limited himself to a simple announcement.In April of that year Chapman’s death sentence was commuted. I remember my friend and neighbour, Howard F., expressing anger when he had seen the convicted man walking down the street in Chilliwack laughing with his companion. He lived closer to Chapman and recognized him. I am sure I would not have. Where is Chapman today? If he is living he would be about 80.
https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77126724/?terms=murder%2BCastleman%2BRd
https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/77116143/?terms=Chapman%2Bcharged%2Bmurder
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/capital-punishment-in-canada-1.795391