Smethurst's Luck, published 2013, ISBN 9780956287014
Thomas Smethurst was a retired doctor in his fifties who was tried at the Old Bailey in 1859 for the murder of his bigamous wife Isabella Bankes. He was found guilty and sentenced to death.
Following the conviction there ensued a vigorous campaign in the press to the effect that the chemical analyses presented by the prosecution were highly suspect, the medical evidence was equivocal at best and the judge, Sir Frederick Pollock, was prejudiced against the prisoner and had misdirected the jury.
The Home Secretary received upwards of 200 letters, petitions and other communications mostly requesting that Smethurst be reprieved...
As well as narrating Smethurst's travails, and efforts of many eminent persons to get his conviction quashed, the book contains some fascinating details of the state of medical knowledge and practice at the time.
Following the conviction there ensued a vigorous campaign in the press to the effect that the chemical analyses presented by the prosecution were highly suspect, the medical evidence was equivocal at best and the judge, Sir Frederick Pollock, was prejudiced against the prisoner and had misdirected the jury.
The Home Secretary received upwards of 200 letters, petitions and other communications mostly requesting that Smethurst be reprieved...
As well as narrating Smethurst's travails, and efforts of many eminent persons to get his conviction quashed, the book contains some fascinating details of the state of medical knowledge and practice at the time.