Charles Ewing Mackay

Charles Ewing Mackay (29 June 1875 – 3 May 1929; later known as Charles Evan Mackay) was a New Zealand lawyer, local politician, and mayor of Wanganui. He was convicted for the attempted murder of Walter D'Arcy Cresswell in 1920.

Early life Mackay was born in Nelson, New Zealand on 29 June 1875. His parents were Jessie Wilkie and Joseph Mackay (who was the headmaster of Wellington College between 1881 and 1891). He was involved in the procurement of pieces to display in the gallery and also launched a competition to determine the design of the building.

Attempted murder and aftermath Mackay met Walter D'Arcy Cresswell in 1920 whilst still holding the position of Mayor of Wanganui. On 15 May 1920, the pair got into an argument which ultimately resulted in Mackay shooting Cresswell.

It was alleged that Mackay made advances on Cresswell, who responded by threatening to publicly expose his homosexuality.

Mackay plead guilty to the attempted murder of Cresswell and provided no legal defence. He was convicted to 15 years imprisonment and was subsequently sent to Mount Eden prison. He was released early in 1926 on the condition that he left New Zealand.

Later life and death Mackay moved to Berlin as a language teacher and part-time correspondent for The Sunday Express.

In recent times, more sympathetic views have been taken. In the 1980s, efforts were made by LGBT activists to have Mackay's name placed back into the Sarjeant Gallery foundation stone. Additionally, the site of the shooting was listed as a heritage building, with Heritage New Zealand noting it as a key indication of "the history of homosexual lives in Aotearoa/New Zealand".

In 2022, Paul Diamond wrote a book about Mackay's life called Downfall: The Destruction of Charles Mackay.

Personal life Mackay married Isobel Mary Agnes Duncan on 20 January 1904. The couple had two children. After Mackay's conviction, Duncan divorced him.