Possible Clues:

• Bird of ill omen to an old criminal?
• A death sentence impending or just some bird?
• Warbler
• Bird of ill omen to old criminal?
• Warbler - worn by hanging judge (8; 5,3)
• Bird once meant one should swing
• Bird: judge no longer uses it in sentencing
• Bird of ominous significance to murderer once
• Clap back for judge pronouncing death sentence
• Bird once assumed to herald death?