Circumstances of the Arrest
On October 18, the Royal Guard was called to the home of Marianne Parker and Matilda Bruen.
Marianne Parker was lying in a pool of blood.
Neighbors reported raised voices and an altercation, and Matilda Bruen admitted to having pushed her roommate, who had hit a piece of furniture without intending to injure her.
Taken to the hospital, Marianne Parker died a few hours later.
Matilda Bruen was detained for questioning, charged with manslaughter, and held in the courthouse cells pending her trial.
Trial and Judgment of Matilda Eve Bruen
On October 20, the defendant, Matilda Eve Bruen, appeared before the judges of the Royal Court and acknowledged having caused the death of Marianne Parker, though without the intent to kill.
The trial proceedings focused on the defendant’s state of mind, seeking to establish whether she acted with the intent to kill and whether the act was premeditated.
At the conclusion of the trial, the magistrates delivered their judgment.
Based on the evidence, testimony, and confessions gathered,
We, judges of the Royal Court, find
That the accused, Matilda Eve Bruen,
Did, through the violence of her act,
Intentionally cause the death
Of Marianne Parker.
We deem this act to have been impulsive and unpremeditated.
Consequently,
We declare
Matilda Eve Bruen
Guilty of femicide,
And, by way of retribution, sentence her
To death by hanging.
Sentence of Matilda Eve Bruen
The Royal Court, having declared
Matilda Eve Bruen
Guilty of femicide,
Orders that
On the appointed day,
The condemned shall be
Clad in the livery of those condemned to execution,
Properly shackled,
And led to the scaffold
In the Fortress Square,
There to be hanged by the neck
Until death ensues.
Pending this day,
The condemned shall be held in confinement within the fortress.
Reception of the condemned Matilda Eve Bruen at the fortress
On this day, October 20th, we received at the fortress the young woman Matilda Eve Bruen, who has been sentenced to hanging.
She was immediately dressed in the long gown worn by those condemned to death and placed in irons—shackled at both her wrists and ankles—before appearing before the governor.
She was subsequently taken to the cells, where she is now held in confinement, awaiting the time she is to be handed over to the executioner.
Account of the Execution of Matilda Eve Bruen
This morning, it was announced to the condemned, Matilda Eve Bruen, that she would be led to the scaffold.
Escorted by female guards to the preparation area, she was dressed in the garments worn by those condemned to death and handed over to the executioner.
Properly bound, she was taken to the scaffold erected in front of the fortress,
And, in accordance with the sentence, was hanged by the neck until dead.
The Execution of Matilda Eve Bruen
In the morning, the governor came to inform Matilda that her execution would take place that very day.
Kneeling in her cell, she heard the pronouncement, after which two female guards led her to the dressing area.
In the dressing room, positioned before a three-paneled mirror, she was dressed in white silk shapewear briefs and white silk stockings beneath her gown; one of the guards then ordered her to kneel.
After a satin brassiere was fastened, they layered on voluminous petticoats and a slip, giving her ample time to watch herself being attired in the mirrors.
She experienced a strange mix of sensations—a blend of shame and the shivers stirred by the glide of silk against her skin.
A guard presented the long white silk gown in which she was to face her execution, and helped her into it.
After which, they helped her to her feet, arranging the many skirts around her legs.
“You look quite lovely to appear before the Creator.”
The young woman blushed as they urged her to look at herself in the mirrors.
While one of the guards handcuffed the condemned woman, the other opened the door.
And the executioner entered. She wore boots, a very short leather dress, and a mask covered her eyes.
“She is ready, ma’am.”
With her arms crossed, she scrutinized her victim with careful attention.
With her arms crossed, she scrutinized her victim.
Matilda lowered her eyes…
Taking her by the arm, he invited her to move forward.
“Come on!! We must be going.”
Moving across the glistening cobblestones, they crossed the fortress courtyard, and she led her to a heavy carriage gate that slowly swung open.
Matilda shuddered and came to a halt upon catching sight of the scaffold and the noose between the gate’s leaves.
With a light push on her back, her tormentor made her move forward.
At the foot of the grand staircase, she paused once again.
“You must go up, miss.”
The platform was raised about three meters, and Matilda climbed the stairs slowly, fearing she might get her feet caught in her petticoats.
A second executioner was waiting for her; he led her by a rope to the edge of the platform, facing the crowd that had gathered to witness the execution.
Matilda recognized a few vindictive neighbors there, as well as some family friends and her own friends—among them Julie, her eyes glistening with tears—to whom she offered a sad smile.
The executioner shackled his elbows together.
The noose swayed cruelly before Matilda’s face, and the executioner tightened it around her neck. The young woman closed her eyes.
She heard the heels of her tormentor retreating and clenched her fists.
A fateful click, and the platform gave way beneath her.
The rope pulled taut with a sinister resonance; the body, having fallen about a meter, convulsed for some thirty seconds before stiffening and coming to a standstill, left to sway.