Wrongful Convictions: True Murder Cases Unbelievable Miscarriages of Justice

by Jack Smith

Ever since DNA evidence started exonerating death row inmates, public concern about wrongful executions has been on the rise. It has been such a source of worry that some states have abolished the death penalty entirely.

Although we want to believe that the criminal justice system designed to protect us is infallible, mistakes can be and are made. The ultimate tragedy is when an innocent person is executed for a crime that he or she didn’t commit.

Inside find three stories of wrongful executions in the UK, where justice was swift and limitless appeals were not supported. In one case the person was actually exonerated forty-six years after being hanged.

●Eliza Fenning and the Devilish In March 1815, the entire household of Robert Turner, a London law stationer, was struck by a mysterious illness. When a search was made for its cause, a substance believed to be arsenic was found in the dish used to mix up yeast dumplings the family had eaten for dinner. Although she had fallen ill too, Eliza Fenning, the twenty-one-year-old maid who had prepared the dumplings, was charged with attempted murder and hanged. Her execution is still regarded as one of Britain’s worst miscarriages of justice.

●The Messalina of Edith Thompson and her younger lover, Frederick Bywaters, were executed in January 1923 for the murder of Edith’s husband. Although Mr. Bywaters confessed and insisted that Mrs. Thompson had nothing to do with the murder, she was held equally responsible for the crime because of some letters that expressed hostile intent toward her overbearing spouse. Her supporters believed that she had really been condemned for being an adulteress. There is currently a campaign in process to win her a posthumous royal pardon.

●“Let Him Have It”: On January 28, 1953, nineteen-year-old Derek Bentley was hanged at Wandsworth Prison for the murder of a Metropolitan Police constable. Bentley had not fired the fatal shot, but his sixteen-year-old accomplice was too young to receive the death penalty, so the mentally impaired Bentley went to the gallows instead. In 1998, thanks to four decades of vigorous campaigning by his family, he received a posthumous pardon. His execution was instrumental in the abolition of capital punishment in the UK.

It is too late to save these victims of wrongful execution, but the time has come to accept that, regardless of our individual feelings about the death penalty, all future debates on the subject must proceed with the knowledge that innocent people have been put to death.

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Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2015

About the author

Biographer and recorder of the history of serial killers

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've all heard the stories about people who have sat in prison for many years and with the advent of DNA evidence, were proven to be innocent and subsequently released.

But what about all those who were put to death? Makes you wonder how many men .. and women ... were found guilty of crimes they may not have committed. Although we all want to think the criminal justice system is infallible, mistakes can be and are made. The ultimate crime is when an innocent person is executed for something he/she did not do.

This book touches on 3 cases ... wrongful executions in the UK. Justice was swift and unlike the appeals process here in the US, those executions were carried out almost immediately.

1) An entire family was struck by a mysterious illness. Arsenic was found in the dish used to mix up dumplings. The cook, Eliza Fenning, was charged with attempted murder and hanged.... although she herself was poisoned. So what was the evidence? Her execution is still regarded as one of Britain's worst miscarriages of justice.

2) Edith Thompson and her younger lover, Frederick Bywaters were executed in 1923 for the murder of her husband. Bywaters confessed but swore that Edith had nothing to do with it. Was she found guilty because she was an adultress?

3) In 1953, Derek Bentley was hanged for the murder of a Metropolitan Police Constable. He did not fire the fatal shot, but since his 16 year old accomplice was too young to receive the death penalty, the mentally impaired Bentley went to the gallows instead... and all because of 4 words. Comparing it to modern time, think "Hands Up Don't Shoot" ... although it has been proven time and time again that the young man who was shot and killed by police never had his hands up. Words do matter!

Bentley's execution was instrumental in the abolition of capital punishment in the UK.

Regardless of what your feelings are about the death penalty, it must always be with the knowledge that there are many cases of innocent people put to death.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written examination of 3 British cases or wrongful death penalty convictions that ultimately led to the rejection of the death penalty itself. Short but interesting.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life/times of Elizabeth Eliza Fenning; Edith Jessie Thompson & Frederick Edward Francis Bywaters; Derek Bentley who were wrongfully convicted for their crimes of murder.

I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.

An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great movie, an animated cartoon, PP presentation, or better yet a paid-per-view mini TV series or even a documentary (Crime Museum; True Crime; American Crime Story; Investigative Discovery). There are no references, works cited, or endnotes so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[SUSAN TURNER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant

A fantastic read. Obviously I have read books on Thompson and Bentley but this is so we'll written and interesting that I couldn't put it down. Only one complaint. I wish it was longer with information about others, as I didn't want it to finish

[brenda segura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I know why many states have abolished the death penalty

I read each sad but true story..its heart wrenching that innocent people were put to death..but good to know that many eventually got justice... too late for them, but good for their families who kept up the fight.

[belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read but I found it quite boring

[Dawn Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

Was a great read, would recommend if you are into true crime stories. Give it a try and you’ll see why

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Many cases, sometimes, we do get it wrong.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides an overview of cases in which a miscarriage of justice ended with the death penalty being carried out. In the selected cases, the person may have been innocent or guilty of a lesser crime.

This is the backbone of the argument against capital punishment. I am not opposed to the death penalty in some instances, but we have a thorough appeal process in this country.

I deducted one star for the numerous errors, but this is a book worth your time.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting examination of three cases where those involved ended up wrongfully getting the death penalty, prior to it being abolished in the UK. An interesting look at the justice system gone wrong, and a book that shows the worst things that happen when the justice system goes wrong. Short (I finished it in one sitting) but a good read.

[Crich70]

A sad collection of 3 cases where the law failed to give justice until after it was too late.