I haven't done enough research to be able to say with any certainty, but it seems to depend on the case. For example, Felix Beasley DID get away with killing his wife, but his defence was extreme provocation - https://sophiemhistory.substack.com/p/heresy-hypocrisy-and-revenge
It's important to understand that defence representatives often had almost no time to prepare the case, so they went with what might rapidly raise sympathy. So although it reads as aberrant bullshit to the modern eye, they were based in the gendered stereotypes and misogyny that were prevalent at the time.
Thank you, this is a really interesting change in the span of time between someone is charged and legal proceedings begin. Interesting to ponder about how that change happened.
As you may have seen from prior cases, it could be incredibly swift. If a defendant could not afford counsel (which was most of them!), the judge would typically lend him or her a representative, but this representative would have around a day to read the case, speak to the defendant and develop a defence.
What a powerful story. Thank you for telling the stories of victims and telling them well. This guy was a monster. Did those kind of defenses work?
I haven't done enough research to be able to say with any certainty, but it seems to depend on the case. For example, Felix Beasley DID get away with killing his wife, but his defence was extreme provocation - https://sophiemhistory.substack.com/p/heresy-hypocrisy-and-revenge
It's important to understand that defence representatives often had almost no time to prepare the case, so they went with what might rapidly raise sympathy. So although it reads as aberrant bullshit to the modern eye, they were based in the gendered stereotypes and misogyny that were prevalent at the time.
Thank you, this is a really interesting change in the span of time between someone is charged and legal proceedings begin. Interesting to ponder about how that change happened.
Thanks for the thoughtful response.
As you may have seen from prior cases, it could be incredibly swift. If a defendant could not afford counsel (which was most of them!), the judge would typically lend him or her a representative, but this representative would have around a day to read the case, speak to the defendant and develop a defence.
I’ve never read one of your stories with so much “please let him be the one who dies” in my head before!
Honestly, they're all bloody awful but this one made me incredibly sad.
I bet