Arthur Lucas was a Canadian criminal who was convicted of murder and subsequently executed, making him the last person to be put to death under Canadian law. The murder for which he was convicted occurred in 1959 when Lucas, along with an accomplice, was involved in the brutal killing of John Paul Schaeffer. The trial that followed captured public attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime and the ensuing legal proceedings. Lucas was sentenced to death in a time when Canada was grappling with its views on capital punishment, which was a contentious topic. His execution took place at Toronto's Don Jail on December 11, 1962, amidst a growing anti-death penalty sentiment across the nation. In the years leading up to Lucas's execution, Canada had experienced a decline in the use of capital punishment, with several provinces calling for its repeal. Lucas's case intensified the debate over the morality and efficacy of the death penalty in deterring crime. Following his execution, public opinion shifted significantly, and less than a year later, the Canadian Parliament passed a bill that effectively abolished the death penalty. Today, Lucas's execution is often cited in discussions about human rights and the evolution of Canada’s judicial system. It marked a pivotal change in Canadian law and social attitudes towards punishment. Despite the severity of his crime, the execution of Arthur Lucas became a focal point for discussions about justice, retribution, and the state's role in administering punishment, leading to the eventual recognition of the need for reform in criminal justice policies concerning capital punishment.