The Murder of Miles Seton: Colonel Rutherford, 1919
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2023
- / @shortstoriesfordarkni...
In January 1919 Colonel Norman Rutherford shot his friend Major Miles Seton dead. His defence was one of insanity, caused by his war experiences. But the evidence heard was incomplete, and the prosecution made a somewhat dilatory attempt to procure a conviction. Was he really insane, as the defence claimed? The evidence suggested it was a simple case of jealousy and that he shot his wife's lover for one of the most common motives for murder - but almost nothing was heard of this in court. There seemed to be a marked reluctance on the part of the police, the Crown lawyers and the press to challenge his insanity plea...
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Many thanks again for your download. I love your videos and the dvd's you have produced. One thing caught my eye in this video. When I was five years of age seventy two years ago we had a teacher Miss Gilmore who was prone to pass out in assembly. They gave her sal-volatile.
They pronounced it sal volatilee or sal volatily. Can it be true that I spent over seventy years mis-pronouncing this.
😅
Agreed 100%
Webley & Scott, rather than WebleyScott.
After 30 years of watching the Insanity defense misused, I retired from Psychiatry. One patient stabbed his wife over 100 times. He had no mental illness, but the judge liked him and said "he snapped". Another killed his mother for inheritance, but the judge liked him. There were many disgusting uses of this defense.
I had a grandmother disembowel her granddaughter, but she was indeed psychotic, had been for all her adult life, and truly believed the only way to save the child was to open her up to let the devil out. I loved that patient. She suffered so much after we controlled her illness and she learned of what she had done. Malingering makes a mockery of those who truly suffer.
This was another example of your excellent analysis (How I wish you were a Judge). Thank You Sir !
And I thought my 40 years was of nursing was traumatic!
Awwww, dude! You just made my day! Nobody does true crime like you do, my friend!
Damn, cutting off a guy's head, because you think it would be funny to watch them look for it when they wake up?!?!
Oh, dude! That is twisted!
Ahhh…the sweet soothing voice of a master story teller, Mark John Maguire. Thank you so much for making another fascinating presentation.😊
Just sat down in a rocking chair, it's rainy and dreary outside, so I guess I can gift myself an hour to listen and watch the birds. Thank you! Still my favorite channel!
I saw this posted at 6:21PM... I'm off work at 7:30PM, and the video is 59 min long. It doesn't get much better than that.
Serendipity 🤫
I absolutely feel you 100%. Enjoy!
Honestly, I've no idea how you find these stories to share with us, but I'm awfully glad you do.
Sir, your stories are missed while you are away. Dare are I say, you are missed? Thank you for the work and sharing!
Whoo Hooo! Best thing to come home from work to, a new video by Mark! What I cannot wrap my head around is that Major Seton would directly mail Alice letters knowing Colonel Rutherford was home. I mean, really? It's either brazen indifference to Rutherford or willful stupidity. I felt like maybe this was headed towards a less than spirited prosecution.
This was the British class system in full sail , if Rutherford had been an ordinary working man of the day he would have had a date with the hangman for sure .
Somethings haven't changed
Has anything really changed since ....? The working classes have always paid the heavy price in a class segregated society, the upper classes always had " la crème de la crème." Totally abhorrent !!
The level of fear his wife endured is questionable, given she felt safe in moving her lover into the family home while her husband was away, hardly the behavior of someone living in fear.
Rutherford's behavior is that of a classic drunken rageaholic and bully abuser. Lamentably, this disease is inheritable, and this apple didn't fall far from the tree at all. What's truly disturbing, once all the facts were made known, is the unconscionable and completely unethical behavior of both attorneys and a high court judge, along with others who were persuaded to protect an obvious first-degree murderer. And then he gets to live in a highbrow manner in prison! ... Another terrific presentation, Mark!
I must agree. And I suspect he never intended to kill himself.
Your content is so fine, I just can't fathom why you don't have a million subs already.
Totally agree!
Me either! Possibly because you're just the best kept secret in true crime❤
Probably the terrible borin' voice Ted.
AGREE wholeheartedly!!
Me neither 😢
Perfect timing! another delightfully read story from the BEST of the best narrators.
Another wonderful story. You have such a gift for storytelling and your voice is amazing. Thank you for doing such a great job on all your narrations, and writings. This is a lot of work Mark and I wait for each release with delight. 🇺🇸❤️
Now this is what I call a good Thursday: A “They Got Away With Murder” video podcast! I’m looking forward to tuning in this evening! Thank you so much for the time and research you put into your, Mark!
it is always an immense pleasure to watch new content on this channel. The most interesting written essays and best narration on UA-cam. Thank you ! Cheers!
Love is an overwhelming feeling of happiness ...but with it a dangerous feeling of jealousy is always lurking around the corner...sad but true ,well narrated as always xxx
Why was the revolver kept in the daughter's bedroom? So peculiar.
My thoughts exactly!!!🎯 💯
It just doesn’t get better than seeing a new post from you, Mark! Absolutely the best. Superb narration and illustration of such interesting and well researched stories. Thank you, Mark!
A new They Got Away With Murder!
Brewing some tea and closing my door. It’s time for me and my favorite storyteller. I love your channel
Another case of Just Us for the upper crust and no justice for the rest.
He must have been horrendous to live with - those poor children . Not a nice man
Something about you style of writing, attention to detail, accompanied by your calm reading voice, makes these an absolute delight to listen to.
Just saw this notification, and was I elated to see the Maestro in the house. Fantastic job Maestro great job. This was a good one. Love the detailed accounts no one can tell them like Maestro.
Woke up to see this. The first day of feeling like winter is coming snuggled up listening to this. Need a story every day for the next 6 months 😂
Oh a new one! Wonderful! Looking forward to relaxation time now!❤
He could have saved a bullet for himself if he REALLY wanted to.....or brought more with him.
Your voice is just perfect for these stories. I love it when I get notifications that you uploaded a video.
You are a great storyteller, sir. Thank you.
Do I watch now or savour it later? Always my reaction when a new one arrives.
A favourite channel , you certainly have a wonderful voice for telling stories.
PLEASE open up your videos to everyone (it seems like commercials but it is much more….) You talk me to sleep, (i have insomnia from combat related PTSD) and listen every night of your superior tales of history. You have a wonderful gift of telling stories where you feel like you are there…
What do you mean. I'm curious. I found this channel on UA-cam. Why is it not open to everyone? He is good, isn't he?😊
I'm delighted for this story. Absolute pleasure ☘️👍
Aww, thanks I needed this! Your "Classy Crime Hour" is better than chocolate. Bless you, big guy❤
Lovely surprise to stumble on a new publication from you. One of my favourite true crime channels here.
Mark, you are an incredible storyteller, it’s truly a gift.
The British class system. Thrilling to have another story from you, thank you very much from Texas.
As a working class Brit...he sure as hell would have been hanged were it not for his class and connections. Instead he had a holiday in Broadmoor.
It's always a great day when you upload a new video. Thank you so much
This arrived last night as I was going to bed so I listened (sitting upright and leaving the light on so I didn't doze off - your voice is just so relaxing to listen to). Like many of your reports it will take a few more listening sessions for me. Thank you. ❤
I’m a big fan of stories during these times. You do a wonderful job of presenting them and then breaking down the motives and feelings of those involved.
Another brilliant episode, bedtime will be delayed a while!
Excellent episode as ever Marc. These delectable tales are all the more delicious by virtue of their relative scarcity. Gorgeous. Thank you.
Big house in Holland Park, weekend country house in Carshalton Park, two very expensive areas then and now. A Colonel in the army no way makes enough money to support this lifestyle, but he had married very well to the daughter of an extremely wealthy industrialist. Divorce would have curtailed that way of life for Colonel Rutherford, hence he did not want it, nor did he want any other man to have that. Jealousy was his motive, not insanity. Great story-telling, you write and talk beautifully.
I may be wrong, but I think Maj. Seton's cousin's house was in Holland Park. The Rutherford's seem to have had a second house in Mill Hill at some point.
Army officers were not allowed to divorce. He’d have had to leave the army.
This is a case of the Upper-class closing ranks
By that metric one could equally assume ranks would have been closed in support of the wife and her wealthy and titled family.
@@wendyharris8026how would that have changed his punishment in your opinion?
@@wendyharris8026 Not really. Women were still lesser than the men, regardless of rank.
@anathema2325 a harsher sentence could have been mitigated by evidence of his ptsd.
The introduction of the defence of 'diminished responsibility' in 1957 broadened the law to cope with this sort of case (note: not this precise one, which seems as plain a murder as you could imagine). Thus, courts don't often have to consider the rather silly M'Naughten Rules. This particular case is, I suspect, as much to do with 1920s society not wanting to make a scandal even worse by executing a wealthy 'war hero' - that was for 'below stairs' folk.
So happy to see another video from you. This has cheered me up no end.
Thank you soooo much for another brilliantly delivered true crime narrative 😊
I find it hard to take his wish to kill himself seriously after he fired it a dozen times into his victim. "If only I had used my 13-shot revolver!"
Thank you Mr M !! The best way to end a day listening to these. You have such talent and your calming tones are beautiful.
One of the best masters at the art of storytelling...
Justice seems to be always manipulated in favor of the powerful. In this case, the "honor" killing of a lover was seen as appropriate by his peers. What a shame.
I don’t think a Yorkshire born Doctor is that powerful in the scheme of things.
I love all of your videos There happens to be one story I can't get through, yet, I keep falling asleep, your voice is like velvet.
If you ever decide to make hypnosis videos let me know.
Around the time of Rutherford’s trial there were many families who had suffered the loss of men who had been shot as deserters during the First World War. These men were suffering from shell shock, a severe mental disorder brought on by traumatic circumstances. They were not given the same consideration as Rutherford received.
They weren't officers.
I didn’t say they were, that’s the point!
Rutherford too could very well have been suffering from mental health issues caused by war service. He was near the front lines by the sounds of it.
@@nicolad8822 That’s a good point and it’s possible but he did seem to have been like this before the war and his actions involved careful planning. Many crimes like this are committed today by people who have never had any experience of warfare.
Rutherford hadn't deserted. He had shot some cad who seduced his wife while he the devoted husband and patriot was laying his life on the line in defence of his homeland.
I agree that your content (and delivery ) are fine. Best wishes from Oz💐
Absolutely fascinating . As always , so throughly researched , terrific detail , accompanied by the interesting old photographs and so beautifully presented . Thank you Mr. Maguire so very much .
The maid was ordered to remove the photos of her and her boyfriend…..That speaks volumes. Can’t do it yourself privately?
I was just thinking this? Seems so silly.
The best true crime videos, hands down!
Thanks, Mark! Made my afternoon ❤
Brilliant as usual!
I wonder if Agatha Christie based the character of General MacArthur (in the Ten Little Indians book) on Colonel Rutherford? He shot a lower-ranked colleague out of jealousy too. She also included a "Seton" as the victim of Blore. Seems more than coincidental.
Didn't he send him out on what was effectively a suicide mission rather than actually shoot him? But, yes, you can see the echo of many actual crimes in her stories.
It shocks me how people got away with murder. This one is particularly disturbing.
Don’t bring your boyfriend to share my home while I’m serving in the army and most likely you’ll be fine
59:39 I do appreciate your diligent research of The facts of your cases however it seems such a long time in between your cases I think if more people knew about you you would have a tremendous following. Thank you thank you for another great narrative.
Yay, another masterpiece by Mark John Maguire. A great storyteller I love to listen to before my Horlicks then a restful nights sleep after listening to that velvet voice. Thank you Mr Maguire. 👍👍💜💜
Not quite insane but his mind must have been in a desolate and dark place.His wife was telling the maid to pack his bag because he was leaving so he probably felt he had nothing left to lose anyway. Another man had blatantly slid into his place and taken his wife, children and home.
I could listen to you read the phone book mark, thanks another fascinating real life mystery, love your stuff
I always eagerly await your videos Mark, they're always so well researched and presented, and this one's no exception. Listening on a dark rainy morning doing my knitting, what could be better?
Thanks!
Agree, great storytelling and story telling voice. Enhances all these period murders
I cannot wait for these to upload and I'm happy you're doing this work! Please don't stop:-)
Once again a job well done! This really set the mood with the damp autumn rains outside.
Your voice is an absolutely perfect match with the content of your excellent narratives. Thank you.
Hi, Mark 😊 Hope youre having a good day. As usual, your hard work results in a wonderful pause in the day-to-day parade of events. Thank you so much for another detailed and strange story ❤
I have always enjoyed your stories well researched and intelligently presented. I look forward to more. I also absolutely love your paintings. They are beautifully painted.
Another excellent video! It seems quite clear that people were trying their best to get Rutherford off because he was "an officer and a gentleman". Too bad he wasn't a gentleman to his wife!
…never rub another’s man’s rhubarb
@@saltynutsman1 A very good point - Miles Seton should have heeded the words of Proverbs 5 v 15 and the warning of Proverbs 6 v 34 King James Bible.
@@LondonEE16 I agree with you. Col. Rutherford was wrong to kill Miles Seton and he was rightly punished for it. However, in this case the death penalty would have been unjust and the sentence handed down tempered justice with mercy.
I know it's going to be a great day when I see you've uploaded a new video! I immediately start making preparations to get some alone (me) time, uninterrupted to watch! I do believe this man got away with murder for the same reason many have been executed! Jealousy! Thank you, my friend!
So excited to see this on my notifications!! Can’t wait to listen!😊
Thanks for posting and highlighting an extremely 'dodgy' character who got away with murder.
Another great case, thank you Mark. You never dissapoint, I always look forward to another new case, we all appreciate all the hard work to bring new cases for our enjoyment. Very much appreciated. Thanks again Mark. 👍
Nearly twenty thousand views in the first day! Goes to,show how much we appreciate you Mark!
Greetings from Sunny Queensland 😎
Am excellent episode...and extraordinarily well-articulated. Many thanks!
Read about this murder years ago and was intrigued by it. Your take on it is great (as always!)
Your presentation at times reminded me of the old Perry Mason TV show in the final explication of the motive and Modus of the defendant
Wonderful as always. Thank you.
How absolutely wonderful, to excited to put the kettle on
Thank you Mark, a fantastic tale told with your customary insight and panache. You are one of the very best....and there aren't many of us left...x
Fascinating but ultimately tragic story. Beautifully told and illustrated as always Mark. Thanks for sharing with us and all the hard work. Getting away with these diverse crimes is always so curious and makes you think how far criminology has come since then where fewer get through the cracks. Looking forward to the next one!
Your voice is simply wonderful, and the atmosphere you create with it is as well. 👍
So glad your back and seem to be feeling better now .l enjoy your stories very much,, !!
Oh yay!!! A new video! You are truly the best. I said the ‘oh yay’ out loud when I saw the notification you had posted a new one
If you ever want idea for older cases where they got away with it, the channel Brief Case covers a lot of them. I’d love to hear some of those stories with the detail only to execute so well
What Mrs.Rutherford and Seton were doing went well beyond “having an affair”. They were really rubbing Rutherford’s nose in it - baiting and goading him - presumably with the intention of bringing him to the point where he would find the whole thing so humiliating that he would agree to the divorce that Mrs. Rutherford wanted. They just misjudged it. Mrs.Rutherford did not know her husband’s character as well as she thought she did - she would not have risked this approach if she’d thought him a naturally violent man on a hair-trigger. She was very lucky to escape getting the same treatment as Seton. Had the children been older her husband might well have shot her as well but if the children were young their father might not have wanted to deprive them of their mother at so early an age. Rutherford was not hanged because people could see that he had been on the receiving end of prolonged, calculated provocation which had produced a result other than the intended one. Adultery (especially open adultery) and disloyalty to a brother officer (particularly the latter) were attacks on the social fabric which the authorities had no interest in encouraging. By giving Rutherford a relatively lenient sentence the authorities were making the point that where people made such attacks they should not expect much sympathy or redress from the state.
In the US, the husband doesn't worry about the kids; he blows his wife away no matter what.
@user-ww2ge6bz1p Your synopsis is eloquent and wise. Thank you. Having seen variations on this theme even in current military life, I take a very dim view of the Colonel's wife and her officer lover's behaviour while her husband was deployed. In the end, none of the adults acted with honor. Too bad Mrs Rutherford did not consider her children in this sordid mess.
@@magic640ranchHer husband was a violent brute, and yet you make this her fault. Appalling.
Thank you for sharing another fascinating case, Mark! 🫖
Simply Superb as always Thank You - you should receive a peerage for your most excellent efforts. As to Colonel Rutherford he burned the letter not to destroy evidence but as a way to avoid the demeaning experience of having it read in public . One wonders if he pulled the gun out in front of Major Seton only to have the Major get up and walk out on him - we shall never know.
I've just watched this for a second time and I'm even more convinced that this was an upper-class cover-up to prevent a worse scandal - even Bernard Spillsbury's and the police inspector's behaviour seems to suggest it.
Thank you Mark for another interesting & fascinating case history. Your research is excellent & your voice is always so clear.
Thank you, ..... Soothingly told ,as per usual.
Thanks Mark.A fascinating story, perfectly told.
Ahhhhhh another fantastic tale. We are blessed this week. ❤
Well done, Mark!
All those so-called men of law acted just as criminally as the murderer. Appalling.
wonderfully conveyed as always , TY , Mark !
Oh great, really needed this.
Seton's behaviour was highly provocative to a truly extraordinary degree.