NewsDeskReport
Leslie Hylton: Some such stories come to light from the world of cricket which you are surprised to know. there is such a story It is also of the West Indies cricketer who was given death sentence. This may sound strange to you. But it is true. Former West Indies fast bowler Leslie Hylton is the only cricketer in the world who was hanged. In 1955, Hilton was hanged for murder of his wife. (Leslie Hylton) played 6 test matches in his career and during this period he was successful in taking 16 wickets. Hilton has also played 40 first class matches. In the year 1935, Leslie made his debut in the Bridgetown Test against England. England was successful in winning this test match by 4 wickets. He was successful in taking 4 wickets in the debut test.
If wife cheated then she murdered
Leslie Hylton married Lurleen Rose in 1942. Life of both was going well but in 1954, differences started arising between them. Hilton’s wife often went to New York City daily for her dressmaking business. Their affair had started there. During that time, Hilton received a letter at home. It was written in the letter about his wife Rose’s affair. The West Indies cricketer was deeply hurt after knowing about his wife’s actions. The ground had slipped beneath their feet. When his wife returned home from New York, Hilton talked to him about the letter, which led to a brief argument between the two.
Leslie Hylton (29 Mar 1905 – 17 May 1955), #Jamaica and #WestIndies cricketer, born 120 years ago today, in #KingstonPlayed 6 Tests 1935-39. Tragic figure; hanged 1955 for murder of his wife, shot in a jealous rage a year earlier. Only Test Cricketer ever to have been executed. pic.twitter.com/Lkw3JT0vOF
—Wayne Chen (@wcchen) March 29, 2024
But Rose clearly said that he and Roy Francis are just friends and there is nothing like that. But a few days later, Hilton received another letter written by Roy Francis, after reading which he became very angry.
Wife shot 7 bullets
There was a heated argument between Hilton and Rose on this matter. Hilton was so upset with his wife’s actions that he lost his temper, grabbed the gun lying near the window and fired. Although when this matter went to the court, Hilton said in his defense that he had tried to shoot himself with the gun which accidentally hit his wife Rose, the court refused to accept this argument of Hilton.
Let us tell you that at the time of the incident, not one but 7 bullets were found in Lurleen Rose’s body. Finally, on October 20, 1954, the court sentenced Hilton to death for murder of his wife.
Hanged on 17 May 1955
Hilton was hanged on May 17, 1955. Let us tell you that on the day when Leslie Hylton was being hanged, a test match was being played between West Indies and Australia on the grounds of Kensington Oval. That day, during the test match, some fans had reached the spectator stadium with banners saying ‘Hang Holt, Save Hilton’, but Hilton could not be saved from the noose. He is the only cricketer in the history of world cricket who was hanged. Even today, cricket fans are shocked to remember this incident.
