Henry John Burnett was convicted of the murder of James McIver, a taxi driver, in November 1961, and his subsequent trial in Glasgow resulted in a death sentence. Burnett's case garnered significant media attention, highlighting the divisive opinions regarding capital punishment in Scotland at the time. His defense argued that he acted in self-defense, but the jury found him guilty, and the judge placed on record the severe nature of the offense.

Despite various appeals and public campaigns seeking clemency for Burnett, the death sentence was upheld. On August 15, 1963, he was executed by hanging at Barlinnie Prison, becoming the final person to face the death penalty in Scotland. The method of execution and its implications raised important discussions about morality, justice, and the effectiveness of capital punishment. His execution occurred against the backdrop of changing societal views on the death penalty, with opposition growing steadily leading into the 1960s.

Burnett’s execution prompted widespread debate in Parliament and among the public, contributing to the eventual abolition of the death penalty in Scotland in 1965. This case serves as a pivotal moment in the development of Scottish legal principles and human rights discussions, exemplifying the conflict between legal practices and evolving public sentiment towards state-sanctioned execution.