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My question is if they were not co-conspirators what possible reason would Mrs hearn have to murder her friend. To me there seems one likely reason and two possible causes. She might have had a life insurance policy and the husband for whatever reason wish to do away with her and offered to share the money if misses her and would kill her. Or they were lovers and even though she was the spouse she was also the third wheel. I simply say that because if not then what possible motive would Mrs hearn who was almost certainly the killer have to kill her friend. Most murders especially back in were committed either out of love triangles or more commonly greed. It seems to me almost certain that they were lovers and co-conspirators. Unless the married woman had a life insurance and he offered to split it 50/50 if the woman would be willing to kill her and if they were not having an affair what possible motive would she be able to be talked into killing her friend. To me either they were having an affair she had life insurance or the husband done it alone.because if they weren't sleeping together or there was no life insurance policy what possible motive would miss hearn have to kill her friend.
I usually agree with your knowledge of the cases that you are correct. But I don't see it in this case I mean unless Mrs hearn is simply a serial killer that enjoyed killing I don't see why or how she could have profited from this. The husband wasn't going to get with her unless they were already sleeping together. Unless there was a life insurance policy that he offered to split with her it seems to me almost guaranteed that they were either co-conspirators or he killed her. Now I do know that her family dying around her so perhaps she was simply a serial killer who enjoyed killing. I mean I don't see how she could profit or how she could have some type of allusion to her and the husband would ever get together. Unless that is they already were. You know more about these people than I do I'm simply saying the suspicion in my opinion doesn't pan out. The only motive I can see her having is simply to enjoy killing I mean what illusion could she have unless she was a paranoid schizophrenic that she would ever be with the husband if they hadn't been together before this.
I kind of jumped the gun sir now after listening to nearly the whole video it was certain her husband was not guilty of anything. Has he ate it in the investigation and practically accused her of poisoning so I don't know what the motive was. Unless she was simply a paranoid schizophrenic that thought that she would be with him after she murdered his wife. Perhaps she had mental disorder and enjoyed killing but I tend to believe her killing was done out of greed.
My husband's grandfather was the local carpenter and coffin maker at Lewannick and my husband went to Lewannick Primary School. He remembers him well. He was involved in the exhumation in Lewannick churchyard. Very interesting case. Thanks for sharing it.
What an excellent series,the writing and narration of Mark John Maguire certainly holds you attention. Hes's obviously done a great deal of research and has put it all together brilliantly. Many thanks for sharing it.
Not only researching, writing & delivering these stories, Mr Maguire provides the sketches as well. It would only be natural to find, that he is at the piano as well. Many skills, all top notch. This is a modern renaissance man to be sure!
@@stephanieunterharnscheidt Yes indeed, I enjoy that style of art that he does, I've always wished I had that talent and the piano too which alas could never afford the lesson's. Am not too bad with the harmonica though ! 😄
How sad that people are unable to post comments without adding insults and being rude to each other. I personally enjoy these cases and appreciate the, time and effort in posting them.
Thank you, Theresa - if I notice insulting comments I will remove, but I simply can't be everywhere at once, so some will escape me. I would simply ask that intelligent people express their views with courtesy towards others.
I feel that I should post something insulting to you-that being an unwavering principle of Internet discussions, and I am nothing if not a man of principle-but I agree with you completely. Um. Your face is peculiar, you have an unusual smell, and you are not universally appealing to members of your preferred gender. There. I feel better. (And still agree with you.)
The fact that Annie fled after the speculations stated pointing her way, the fact she dyed her hair to disguise herself, kept clippings of articles about the crime and denied her true identity when asked, to me says she was guilty.
Discovered your channel just today. I am now binge-watching every episode. I watch alot of true crime and have heard of none of the cases you have featured and your voice is perfect! Yours is my new favourite channel!
The narration is nothing short of pure brilliance. The stories capture me and bring me far back to the time period of each reading. Thank you so much for your beautiful channel.
This morning through "automatic playback" and after listening to one of my notifications a video of yours, (The Green Bicycle Murder) began to play. It is now 14:35 and 5 videos later I'm still here. I'm now a subscriber and I'm so pleased that your channel found me. It's a pleasure listening to you. You have a pleasant voice and perfect narration. Reminds me of growing up in the fifties, long before we had television in my country, when we would listen to radio dramas and mysteries. Looking forward to many more pleasant hours of interesting stories to keep me company while I sew. Thank you.
I love this channel! You sound as if you were born to narrate true crime stories. And I really like how you've presented stories we haven't heard a thousand times before. Thank you.
Your narratives of each of these old cases are easily the best items on UA-cam dealing with crime.Great research and wonderfully presented.I'm surprised that they've so little reach/audience.
I find it so very hard getting through these videos. It takes at least three attempts, of course I blame Marks soothing and calming voice... So glad I’ve discovered this channel.
Ah, thank you, Jayleigh - I'm still taking that as a compliment! If the problem become too great I will shout every 5 minutes of narration to ensure people stay awake!
Found your Chanel yesterday, I’m an addict already! Delightfully interested in the cases you choose to cover. They haven’t all been covered and recovered by everyone else first, thank you so much for the fresh content. I love your narrative, clear queen’s English yea..well done..New subscriber from Melbourne Australia x
My husband and I just discovered your wonderful channel. Thanks to a blogger we have discovered your wonderful art. - Also, like so many other viewers, we delight in your elegant use of the English language. "Renaissance man", indeed.
What an intriging case. You had me pinned to the chair from start to finish. I think she was a very cold and calculating woman that removed every weak link (in her mind weak). She lived a fantasy world where she even invented her dead husband, when she bought that photograph. She must have had a sad life in a way. Not beeing able to get married. The case of the diary dissapearing is strange. I think that Minnie had written a lot of incriminating stuff in there. Great case again. Greetings from Norway 🤗😃
Ah, the joy I feel when hearing English used correctly. THANK YOU! Also love the stories and the use of logic in your analysis. Sketches remind me of Van Gogh's.
@@benandemmasmom Thank you, Susan! I am delighted you have stumbled across my paintings - the sketches in my crime essays are chiefly done where it is impossible to find a photo or alternative illustration!
I completely agree!! Arsenical poisoning, not Arsenic poisoning, was in Hospital, not “in the hospital”. Words choices that are appropriate, not just commonplace. 💕. You have no idea of how well spoken you are, and how melodious your posting are to my ears. I also really enjoy how you focus in on the early 20th century.
Mr Thomas knew, when his wife was admitted to hospital & died. His abrupt change in attitude toward Annie, was the key, where to me, Annie's guilt was established. Thankyou Mark, for another well researched presentation. Namaste 🙏 💟
I listened to one of your episodes on my wireless headphones whilst doing other things. I thought: "Hang about, this is as good as anything on BBC R4." Great work.
I'm going asleep with my headphones on as this is the only thing that relaxes me and sends me to sleep. No adverts. Great voice! I go into a trance listening to the very sad stories from the past but your voice is so soothing and I fall asleep where as I can't with anything else on UA-cam so thank you. Please more videos! Keep up the good work!!
I'm curious as to why a doctor would diagnose food poisoning when all three presumably ate the same sandwiches and drank the same tea? I realize that arsenic poisoning isn't likely to be the first thing a doctor thinks of when a patient becomes ill. But I wonder why he would say it was food poisoning when others had the same meal and didn't get sick? Very, very good presentation of this perplexing case. It's one I was unfamiliar with (and that's saying something!).
Thank you, Cheryl - that is a very good point. I don't know enough about food poisoning to know how likely it is that one out of 3 people who ate the same food would ill with it.
Food poisoning does not always hit everyone the same way, at the same time. The amount of food consumed, each person's constitution, and type of contaminant, can all be factors in who becomes ill, when they become ill, and for how long they are ill. In 1965, my new stepfather, wanted to introduce his new wife and her three daughters (which I was one), to his family of origin, a nine hours drive and three states away. We drove straight through, stopping along the way at a restaurant to eat, once the sandwiches my mother and I had made were depleted. By the next morning, my new dad was so ill with food poisoning, that they had to take him to the hospital. In the 53 years my parents were married, that was one, of only two times I saw him ill, and never again so ill that he nearly died. The next victim in the family was me, showing symptoms that same evening. We fell like dominoes, from biggest to smallest; my sisters becoming ill the following day. The only one who didn't get sick, was my mother. Even today's doctors, will say that most of the time people think they have a stomach flu, when they actually have a case of food poisoning. Because my dad was a big man at 7ft, he naturally consumed a larger portion of food than the rest of us. I do not recall whether we all ordered the same thing that day, but my father was in the catering business, delighted in introducing us to new culinary experiences, and was an extremely generous man, who often shared food from his own plate with three little girls, whom he loved as his own. The doctor in this story, either wasn't initially aware that all three people had consumed the exact same items (minus the bananas), or he did know, and was expecting that the other two would soon be ill as well.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder If one person had such a severe case, others would likely experience at least some milder symptoms, but not necessarily. I attended a party once where a huge pot of meat stew was served, and everybody had some. A couple of people got sick and vomited during the night but I was the only one feverish and dizzy on top of that and unable to go to work.
Thank you! Your channel is phenomenal. Your levels of detail is incredible, plus your analytical skills? Magnificent! Top marks, can't say enough good things about this channel.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder Ive watched them all....a couple of them twice. its a cheek to ask , I know writing, researching, editing , checking all the blah blah blah before you upload.... Whens the next episode ? You bloody marvellous fellow. I like your posh voice also , its not too plumy but just enough plum , grabbed my ear instant it did, anyhoos I thank you for your gripping yarns. I enjoyed them all immensely I'd like to say, as much as when my last favourite TV show finished but I haven't watched TV for long time so I can't remember what that show would be ? I was very interested to find about the McNaughton law, and how terrible to get arrested after you've tried to commit suicide.. And the Croydon wonder.... wasn't much of a wonder for the poor buggers, that got strung up and matey comes strolling back into town a couple of years later ! Priceless...
Why isn’t MSM watching your presentations? You are reasonably, factual, and incredibly interesting!!! No histrionics, or hyperbole, yet I watch intently for the entire segment. I guess 42 is too old to have an opinion. Everything I watch is 60 second sound bytes, with monosyllabic words.
Thank you for making these videos I am a cleaner and I listen to them as I work, gets me through the morning, also your sketches are fantastic, the whole thing is brilliant, Very informative and your voice and the way you tell the story all fits perfectly.
No doubt she did it. All 3 of them. I'm always appalled at poisoners - usually women - to watch those near to you (and sometimes supposedly dear to you), go through prolonged agony over a period of time, continuing to administer the poison, and in many cases even nursing the victim, requires a coldness and psychopathy that is hard to fathom. Presumably the defence managed to put reasonable doubt into the minds of the jury, but given her background with her sister and aunt, her inclination to deception as evinced by her mendacious marriage and finally her clever disappearance ... I say "Guilty"!
I agree, Mel! There are other circumstances I would like to have mentioned in this video but had to draw the line somewhere... She had nursed a sister for TB during the war and her sister had died. There was no suggestion that she had killed her sister, but she appeared to have been her sister's sole carer throughout her illness. I think she became fascinated with death - and possibly with the idea of removing people who were suffering needlessly or had become an encumbrance to her. Her elderly aunt and sister both had illnesses and she may have felt she was almost "doing them a favour" - even if it clearly served her interests also. When nursing the sister with tb during WW1, the doctor attending her was called "Dr Hearn"! Not long afterwards she invented a Dr Hearn whom she claimed to have married...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I'm not so sure about the "doing them a favour" thing - death by arsenic is horribly painful - no-one could imagine it to be merciful! Except a nutcase of course! Which she indubitably was!
This reminds me of Agatha Christie’s “Sad Cypress” - the fish paste sandwiches! Thank you for the wonderfully told story - and that’s a very nice tie too!
I wonder after her disappearance if she was involved in anymore possible deaths that never got reported. She could have ended up a possible undiscovered serial killer!
Yes, it is possible, if she was not sufficiently deterred by the experience of her arrest and trial. I have a friend who is writing a book on the matter and it will be interesting if he manages to uncover what became of her in later years. I was unable to do so myself...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I don't think someone who poisons people repeatedly would just stop though, do you ? That would be unusual. If she had poisoned 2 people and then stopped, that would be possible , but I always heard that a serial killer is defined as a person who kills 3 or more people. And I don't think that such a person would be deterred by Prison time. I am not a mental health professional, I could be wrong.
It would indeed be brilliant to frame a woman who already had poisoned others. But how could William have known at the time that Annie was an arsenic poisoner, possibly twice over? Perhaps he had read Minnie's diary.
Yes, I agree. She was extremely cool throughout and she had a history of caring - she had in fact nursed another sister who died during the war years and curiously, the doctor who looked after her sister, was called Dr Hearn!
She’s very likely a psychopath. They’re neither common nor are they rare. If you are an adult, you most certainly have encountered at least one psychopath (born like that) or sociopath (became one bc of his/her environment). They live a compartmentalized existence. They can kill someone and go on enjoying life as if it never happened. Because they have no conscience nor do they have empathy. So the murder of a person who was a “friend” or “loved one” or a colleague does not weigh on them. While it bothers a normal person to betray another’s trust, a psychopath sees those who trust him/her cynically, as suckers who deserve to be exploited. Traditional therapy makes them even more dangerous bc through therapy they learn how to mimic genuine emotions. Of course, not all psychopaths are killers. But they ALL sow destruction in their wake. If you ever worked in an environment with a psychopath, they are the person who gossips, back stabs, and has everyone fighting each other. They kiss up to the boss while simultaneously telling the boss that loyal employees can’t be trusted. A psychopath is only happy when the whole (work or family) environment is in chaos. They lie compulsively. Not bc they need to, but bc they revel in the power to determine what is reality. Watch how someone like Trump operates. He will make an obviously false statement and when called on it he doubles down on that falsehood. His supporters know that he lies but they enable him by excusing it as pranking his enemies. He loves setting people against one another. Whatever you think of Obama (or Bush) never once did they refer to political opponents -members of the other party - as enemies.) He’s bent over backwards to make the presidency an extremely toxic environment. He’s even extended that to our allies like Great Britain & Canada. When he says that he could shoot someone in broad daylight in the middle of Fifth Avenue he’s being sincere. He has never had to suffer a consequence in his life, which makes him extremely dangerous. Finally, studies (brain scans) of psychopaths have determined that the areas of the brain that moderate mood, impulse control & reward do not function like a normal person’s. On autopsy this doesn’t isn’t apparent bc it’s a defect in function (physiology) not structure (anatomy). Neuroscience has enabled us to study the living brain (in situ) which very persuasively shows that there are stark differences between their brains and ours. Again, some people are born this way (psychopaths) while others are born with the predilection and environmental factors (such as injury, neglect, abuse, and so on) activate specific genes with disastrous results (sociopaths.) While it’s theoretically possible with very early intervention that individuals with this propensity may be treatable (in very early childhood ) - this has not been demonstrated. If this all can be proven then we will need to rethink the justice system and the way such offenders are sentenced. For example, let’s pretend that we can at some point demonstrate that their criminality is a compulsion that cannot be controlled. Are we, as a civilized society, willing to intervene before they create mayhem or begin to pile up bodies? Let’s pretend they in the future this can be screened for and identified before a child leaves school.In a lot of situations psychopaths destroy their families bc they are manipulative and sinister, but that’s not (technically) breaking the law. How can we - as a just society - intervene where the offender’s behavior is literally destroying his/her partner/spouse & children but isn’t technically breaking the law? Are we willing to deactivate such an offender (let’s say, by committing him/her to a supervised environment) knowing full well they will never be safe to be released to the public? These are very troubling questions that can’t be answered with our current level of technology. But what if there comes a day when a tiny microchip can “treat” such behavior. Do we operate on people’s brains without their consent?
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder She was also married to a doctor so one wonders if the respect a dr's position attains made her covet, what she may have seen as, a power of life & death. over others. Her taking on the doctors cool calm bedside manner but in her was more a psychopathic trait.
Many of these cases show how very devious and deadly women can be whilst hiding behind a mask of feminine compliance and vulnerability. I can say that because I am a woman.
“I can say that because I’m a woman”. WTF kind of stupid nonsense comment is that??? Women are humans, just like those humans that aren’t women, commonly referred to as men. Knowledge and facts aren’t inherently gendered, except by the very stupid and backward.
Do you know I have trouble sleeping but since I found your channel I fall asleep listening to your videos. So a big thank you for helping me feel more refreshed by having a good night's sleep going into work the next day. If I feel good I'm a much better person to be around. We all are so a big thank you!
Bravo!!! Our host does such incredibly excellent professional work! Is there not a bad episode amongst them. Seems like back in the day everybody was poisoning everybody with arsenic. I think I would go the route of taking a little bit a day so I develop a resistance to it! Am I a nuts or good? Maybe both. Good AND Nuts!
Gotta admit it - Mark John Maguire has been "gifted" with a great speaking voice! We are truly blessed with his sharing his videos and narration. I really appreciate his documentaries! Warmest regards from South New Jersey, USA. ❤
Arsenic was used in face creams and beauty products in those times, so all women could be at risk from it. Recent tests on Jane Austen's hair have shown she could've died from arsenic based on the amount found (she noted her periods of sickness in her diaries too).
Dunno how I found your channel but certainly glad I did; subscribed to be sure! I can state, unreservedly, that your voice, cadence and careful research are wholly appreciated and enjoyed. PLEASE DO GO ON AND ON AND ON... I find these so enjoyable that I wait until nightfall and listen to them whilst in bed wearing a sleep mask with my two pups by my side for a delightful experience free of other distractions. You, Sir, are very much appreciated. Stay Safe and Well 😷🙂😷❗️
New subscriber here too! You've done a great job with these. Hopefully you'll get tons more subscribers - these are so well done and interesting. Thanks!
Scott Cardinal and Mark Maguire, both excellent storytellers in different ways. Both have soothing voices that sometimes lull me to sleep, but I'll always rewind to hear anything I might have missed
In his book " Mostly Murder" in 1957, the defence pathologist, Dr Smith of Edinburgh stated that adding the white arsenic weedkiller to the sandwiches turned them bright purple and no-one would have eaten them.. He was a great expert on arsenic poisoning and states that arsenic accumulates in hair and fingernails at 35 times the concentration in the rest of the body. As a geologist, I can also say that arsenic would be much higher in the groundwater of Cornwall. Dr Smith believed that the husband did it. Having said that, your case is very convincing!
Hello, I am a new subscriber. Have you thought of examining the arsenic poisoning of the husband of Beatrice Pace? I see you have covered many of the cases which interest me so I am bingeing on your videos. Do keep up the good work and thank you!
This is a very unusual case in that it didn’t seem there was any clear motive on Hearn’s part. If she did in fact murder her two family members then it’s hard to see how she couldn’t be found guilty. She had a very good and well respected barrister which introduced enough doubt.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder A theory I read suggested that William Thomas killed his wife, and let Annie take the fall, so that he could be with another woman.
The more I watch the more I love your voice , I now have my parents watching your channel as well on the roku on the living room tv , THEY LOVE IT TOO !!
I'm not sure why she'd kill her sister, but I'm of the opinion that she'd already killed her invalid aunt in 1926 before her sister in 1930. She'd have already known how much to use.
Absolutely fascinating. She did a good job of slipping into obscurity and it's strange to think she could easily have still been alive in the 1970s. My late father was a Devonian and although he was born some years after these murders I remember him often mentioning her name when I was a child. The case must have shaken Devon, and she became the archetypal evil woman in the eyes of the county's people for many long years. Another fine documentary!
Many thanks, RJ - I have a friend Jonathan Oates, who has been writing a book on this and studying it for some time. He had not, when I last spoke to him, discovered what had become of Annie. I am sure someone will some day...
I love these cases so much!!! I was a true crime addict already, but the news has been so shocking lately, hearing your voice makes me feel like I have a good friend in for tea and a chin- wag!! Thank you so much xx
I always love the way your stories written and narrated. I always listen before bedtime and I never fall asleep until the story is finished. Never boring.
Just found your channel and am delighted you cover so many historical crimes. You've blended my favorite genre. I've subscribed and you've made my day and I'm sure, many months to come.
"Not Guilty" ? Their tests back then work well, they knew and could tell quantity also when it came to Arsenic. I realize the use of Arsenic was usually the choice of poisoners because of the availability in allot of the cases, but what a cruel thing to do to another human even if you detested someone and especially cruel when drawn out in smaller doses that don't kill a person straight away. A woman committing these crimes made it just a bit more creepy, because it means it could be your wife...or your Mum. Great Video presentation, I enjoy new docs on killers I've not heard of, well done Mr. McGuire 5⭐
Many thanks! Yes, arsenic is a particularly nasty way to go - prolonged, undignified, and agonising. Having witnessed the deaths in the Duff household (Croydon poisonings), Dr Binning subsequently said he believed that such poisoners deserved capital punishment because of the terrible suffering they inflicted on their victims...
Another fascinating case. I appreciated your penetrating analysis of Annie Hearn's personality which I found completely convincing. One wonders how many of these "got away" cases are due to a jury's reluctance to risk mistakenly sending the accused to the gallows, whereas a life sentence may have elicited a guilty verdict.
Thank you, Mike - I agree about the jury's reluctance concerning the risk of sending an innocent person to the gallows. I am studying a case at present where the defence counsel finishes his address to the jury by playing precisely on those fears: what if you discover in a year's time you have sent an innocent man to an ignominious death, he asks. It is powerful!
These documentaries are absolutely fantastic! The only problem is Mr. Maguire’s voice. It’s hypnotic. I find I’m drowsing off and then I have to rewind because I wasn’t focusing and miss some fascinating details. I appreciate the narrator and his attention to detail. The lack of loud music is “music” to my ears. I get irritated with many documentaries with the pounding music for drama. Bravo!
Arsenic keeps popping up as a means to murder. I had no idea this was so prevalent. I read "The Poisoner's Handbook" and that is what started me off on enjoying your cases. Well done, you
The sheer respectability of these people and the idyllic, picturesque Beatrix Potter setting, makes the cold cruelty of the murders and gruesome deaths all the more outrageous and sinister.
It's strange how we imagine things differently. I have the Beatrix Potter books but they seem as remote from the world we're looking at in the era here as another planet. It brings to my mind outdoor lavs, no bathrooms. Clothes worn over & over with no cleaning. Mud roads & long skirts trailing in them. Freezing winters with little heating just more layers of mothball clothes. UGH.... I must get myself a pair of rose coloured specs 😉 I'm sure it's better for the spirit.
Can I start by saying how much I am enjoying this series; so professionally presented and well written. Just to add to the debate though, I own a book, published 1958, written by Sir Sidney Smith who had a long and illustrious career as a medical expert and was involved in AH's trial. He had much experience in dealing with poisoning by arsenic as he had worked for years in Egypt, where arsenic poisoning was common. He disputes the calculations used to work out the amount of arsenic in Minnie's corpse and gives a convincing argument that the heavily impregnated soil in the churchyard, plus the open air post mortem did effect the result considerably. He also discusses years of doctors' reports on Minnie which point to a long history of gastric upsets, and chronic constipation (apparently arsenic poisoning causes diarrhea). He states that most of the symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning were missing.. He also points out that the prosecution implied that the sandwiches were doctored with weed killer. However, weed killer that contains arsenic was coloured with purple dye. Sidney Smith actually made up salmon sandwiches using the same quantity of weed killer claimed by the prosecution. This quickly and drastically coloured the sandwiches to the point no one would have eaten them. He feels AH was innocent and is more inclined to blame Mr Thomas. Just a different slant on the case. Keep up the good work.
I really like that you just use relevant pictures of the acutal people and locations in your vids and not some random images. PS: I also have a strange tatste on my tongue and now I'm kinda concerned. 😅
I've been enjoying so many of your uploads and it prompted me to wonder if you have considered producing a similar series about miscarriages of justice where people were wrongfully convicted?
Thanks very much - I would like very much to do this. The Rattenbury & Stoner/ Edith Thompson cases et al have always fascinated me. I think I would need to start a new channel for that though - and possibly have an extra life!!
So the Powells "dob" in their housekeeper, take the reward and then spend it on a legal defence for her. You have to admire the integrity of Victorian English, at least those not trying to kill weeds.
I have been listening to your summaries of these cases, and it is amazing how many take place in October. Do you have any theories on this outside of coincidence?
That is something I had not noticed, but it's an interesting observation. I am not aware of any studies that have been conducted into the seasonal nature of murder, but it would be an interesting study! Perhaps Autumn is a declining season which affects relationships in some way, or people's moods - in the way that we know the cycle of the moon does? I have no idea, but it is certainly the case that the canonical 5 of Jack the Ripper's victims occurred in Autumn - between 31 August and 9th November!
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder It would seem plausible that the season could cause a depressive mentality, and that could lead to the lack of resistance to the crimes. I agree, it would be an interesting study to conduct or read. Thank you for your reply.
I wonder if this case gave ideas to Agatha Christie. Three people eating sandwiches and only one of them being poisoned is a crucial point in the plot of Sad Cypress, written a few years later.
My grandfather lived in Cornwall during this time. He knew the Thomas' as well. Alice was a kind, well spoken woman who was generous. My grandfather was an archaeologist and of Macedonian Romani extraction. A lot of the travellers around there would come to him for legal/moral advice and used to complain about William Thomas. Alice used to buy lots of goods from the Cornish travellers (pins, pegs, needles, cloth, etc) and let them stay on the land, but William was totally against it. Everybody knew William Thomas poisoned his wife...as the story went in the area "So now he can have Mrs Turner". AFAIC, Annie Hearn was a foolish woman, but not the murderer of Alice Thomas.
Thank you for your interesting comment. I have a friend, Dr Jonathan Oates, who is engaged in writing a book on this case at the moment, and I am sure he would be very interested to hear from you.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I was reading the autobiography of Sir Sydney Smith called "Mostly Murder". It goes into the case quite well. I remember showing my mum the book and the case and she remembered when William Thomas died at Broadoak farm. The local travellers refused to associate with him, they all thought he killed Alice.
@@takohamoolsen2432 That sounds like it will be useful to Jonathan Oates. - you referred to a "Mrs Turner". I don't recall the name, although it is a while since I looked at this case - do you have any information on her? It was quite inevitable that William Thomas would be blamed, after Annie's acquittal: as the judge said: there were only 2 people who could possibly have killed her; if it wasn't one it was the other.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I'm sorry. Don't know anything about the woman only the name my grandfather told me. William Thomas, they said, died alone at his farm, despised by the community and the travellers refused to go near him. My grandfather saw him a few times, but was convinced the man had an evil presence and pop always carried his evil eye amulet to ward off the evil.
A number of people have asked if they can help support my channel - I don't have any adverts on my channel (and don't intend to) but if anyone wishes to help defray the expenses of making these videos in some small way, they can buy me a cup of coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/MarkJohnMaguire
My question is if they were not co-conspirators what possible reason would Mrs hearn have to murder her friend. To me there seems one likely reason and two possible causes. She might have had a life insurance policy and the husband for whatever reason wish to do away with her and offered to share the money if misses her and would kill her. Or they were lovers and even though she was the spouse she was also the third wheel. I simply say that because if not then what possible motive would Mrs hearn who was almost certainly the killer have to kill her friend. Most murders especially back in were committed either out of love triangles or more commonly greed. It seems to me almost certain that they were lovers and co-conspirators. Unless the married woman had a life insurance and he offered to split it 50/50 if the woman would be willing to kill her and if they were not having an affair what possible motive would she be able to be talked into killing her friend. To me either they were having an affair she had life insurance or the husband done it alone.because if they weren't sleeping together or there was no life insurance policy what possible motive would miss hearn have to kill her friend.
I usually agree with your knowledge of the cases that you are correct. But I don't see it in this case I mean unless Mrs hearn is simply a serial killer that enjoyed killing I don't see why or how she could have profited from this. The husband wasn't going to get with her unless they were already sleeping together. Unless there was a life insurance policy that he offered to split with her it seems to me almost guaranteed that they were either co-conspirators or he killed her. Now I do know that her family dying around her so perhaps she was simply a serial killer who enjoyed killing. I mean I don't see how she could profit or how she could have some type of allusion to her and the husband would ever get together. Unless that is they already were. You know more about these people than I do I'm simply saying the suspicion in my opinion doesn't pan out. The only motive I can see her having is simply to enjoy killing I mean what illusion could she have unless she was a paranoid schizophrenic that she would ever be with the husband if they hadn't been together before this.
I kind of jumped the gun sir now after listening to nearly the whole video it was certain her husband was not guilty of anything. Has he ate it in the investigation and practically accused her of poisoning so I don't know what the motive was. Unless she was simply a paranoid schizophrenic that thought that she would be with him after she murdered his wife. Perhaps she had mental disorder and enjoyed killing but I tend to believe her killing was done out of greed.
My husband's grandfather was the local carpenter and coffin maker at Lewannick and my husband went to Lewannick Primary School. He remembers him well. He was involved in the exhumation in Lewannick churchyard. Very interesting case. Thanks for sharing it.
The narrator could read a phone book and sooth me to a restful sleep.
I listen to his videos over and over again, his voice is so soothing, and interesting.
A soothing calming voice quietly telling us about murderers and mayhem. Okay
@@poorthing how very english
Right!?!
Omg yes!!! 🥰🥰🥰
What an excellent series,the writing and narration of Mark John Maguire certainly holds you attention. Hes's obviously done a great deal of research and has put it all together brilliantly. Many thanks for sharing it.
Many thanks - I'm delighted you appreciated them!
Not only researching, writing & delivering these stories, Mr Maguire provides the sketches as well. It would only be natural to find, that he is at the piano as well. Many skills, all top notch. This is a modern renaissance man to be sure!
@@stephanieunterharnscheidt Yes indeed, I enjoy that style of art that he does, I've always wished I had that talent and the piano too which alas could never afford the lesson's. Am not too bad with the harmonica though ! 😄
How sad that people are unable to post comments without adding insults and being rude to each other. I personally enjoy these cases and appreciate the, time and effort in posting them.
Thank you, Theresa - if I notice insulting comments I will remove, but I simply can't be everywhere at once, so some will escape me. I would simply ask that intelligent people express their views with courtesy towards others.
I feel that I should post something insulting to you-that being an unwavering principle of Internet discussions, and I am nothing if not a man of principle-but I agree with you completely.
Um.
Your face is peculiar, you have an unusual smell, and you are not universally appealing to members of your preferred gender.
There. I feel better.
(And still agree with you.)
@Manley Nelson Naw. It’s just that before the internet, we didn’t have to listen to them. We just didn’t hang around with them.
Well put, doesn't cost anything to be polite and courteous...after all civil is the root of civilization!!!🤔🙏
@@mangot589 It's not just that. It's the anonymity of the internet lets people show you what they really are - and most people are awful.
You are a wonderful raconteur , a storyteller extraordinaire. Thank you for hours and hours of interesting, evidential suspense!
Thank you very much indeed, Melanie!
Well written, beautifully produced, and clearly narrated. A treat.....thank you sir. Miss Jenny.
Thank you, Miss Jenny - how very kind of you to say so!
I concur!!!👌😷
The fact that Annie fled after the speculations stated pointing her way, the fact she dyed her hair to disguise herself, kept clippings of articles about the crime and denied her true identity when asked, to me says she was guilty.
Discovered your channel just today. I am now binge-watching every episode. I watch alot of true crime and have heard of none of the cases you have featured and your voice is perfect! Yours is my new favourite channel!
Thank you, Stephanie - I'm pleased you like it!
I’ve been sad since I discovered the series because there are not more.
The narration is nothing short of pure brilliance. The stories capture me and bring me far back to the time period of each reading. Thank you so much for your beautiful channel.
Thank you very much - I am delighted you think so!
This morning through "automatic playback" and after listening to one of my notifications a video of yours, (The Green Bicycle Murder) began to play. It is now 14:35 and 5 videos later I'm still here. I'm now a subscriber and I'm so pleased that your channel found me. It's a pleasure listening to you. You have a pleasant voice and perfect narration. Reminds me of growing up in the fifties, long before we had television in my country, when we would listen to radio dramas and mysteries. Looking forward to many more pleasant hours of interesting stories to keep me company while I sew. Thank you.
I love this channel! You sound as if you were born to narrate true crime stories. And I really like how you've presented stories we haven't heard a thousand times before. Thank you.
As an Australian, I really appreciate these quality uploads and proper narration. Thank you 🙏🏻🇦🇺❣️
Thank you, Lisa!
Your narratives of each of these old cases are easily the best items on UA-cam dealing with crime.Great research and wonderfully presented.I'm surprised that they've so little reach/audience.
I find it so very hard getting through these videos. It takes at least three attempts, of course I blame Marks soothing and calming voice... So glad I’ve discovered this channel.
Ah, thank you, Jayleigh - I'm still taking that as a compliment! If the problem become too great I will shout every 5 minutes of narration to ensure people stay awake!
They Got Away With Murder
😆😆😆😆😆😆
Defiantly a compliment 👍🏻
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder Hahahahaha! Good one! I'm snorting with laughter. 😂🤣😅🤣
How interesting, especially with that calm, reasonable voice. Love the drawings and photos. More, PLEASE?
Found your Chanel yesterday, I’m an addict already! Delightfully interested in the cases you choose to cover. They haven’t all been covered and recovered by everyone else first, thank you so much for the fresh content. I love your narrative, clear queen’s English yea..well done..New subscriber from Melbourne Australia x
Thank you very much - I am delighted you have liked them!
I so agree Hidden. I just found Mark's channel yesterday and am working my way through these fabulous videos. Greetings from London.
My husband and I just discovered your wonderful channel. Thanks to a blogger we have discovered your wonderful art. - Also, like so many other viewers, we delight in your elegant use of the English language. "Renaissance man", indeed.
Thank you, Gail - I am so pleased you have enjoyed them!
What an intriging case. You had me pinned to the chair from start to finish. I think she was a very cold and calculating woman that removed every weak link (in her mind weak). She lived a fantasy world where she even invented her dead husband, when she bought that photograph. She must have had a sad life in a way. Not beeing able to get married. The case of the diary dissapearing is strange. I think that Minnie had written a lot of incriminating stuff in there. Great case again. Greetings from Norway 🤗😃
Ah, the joy I feel when hearing English used correctly. THANK YOU! Also love the stories and the use of logic in your analysis. Sketches remind me of Van Gogh's.
Thank you, Susan - you're very kind to say so!
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder But when I see the colors you use in your paintings, I see Lautrec.
@@benandemmasmom Thank you, Susan! I am delighted you have stumbled across my paintings - the sketches in my crime essays are chiefly done where it is impossible to find a photo or alternative illustration!
Agreed, although I must confess that I'm a fervent "grammar nazi" (as I'm called these days).
I completely agree!! Arsenical poisoning, not Arsenic poisoning, was in Hospital, not “in the hospital”. Words choices that are appropriate, not just commonplace. 💕. You have no idea of how well spoken you are, and how melodious your posting are to my ears. I also really enjoy how you focus in on the early 20th century.
Mr Thomas knew, when his wife was admitted to hospital & died.
His abrupt change in attitude toward Annie, was the key, where to me, Annie's guilt was established.
Thankyou Mark, for another well researched presentation.
Namaste 🙏 💟
Thank you, David
I listened to one of your episodes on my wireless headphones whilst doing other things. I thought: "Hang about, this is as good as anything on BBC R4." Great work.
Better imo
The only narrator I know of who can make a horrific murder mystery sound like House on Pooh Corner
Hahaha!
I'm going asleep with my headphones on as this is the only thing that relaxes me and sends me to sleep. No adverts. Great voice!
I go into a trance listening to the very sad stories from the past but your voice is so soothing and I fall asleep where as I can't with anything else on UA-cam so thank you. Please more videos! Keep up the good work!!
I am working on it, I assure you. I am pleased they are helping you to sleep.... I think! :)
I'm curious as to why a doctor would diagnose food poisoning when all three presumably ate the same sandwiches and drank the same tea? I realize that arsenic poisoning isn't likely to be the first thing a doctor thinks of when a patient becomes ill. But I wonder why he would say it was food poisoning when others had the same meal and didn't get sick? Very, very good presentation of this perplexing case. It's one I was unfamiliar with (and that's saying something!).
Thank you, Cheryl - that is a very good point. I don't know enough about food poisoning to know how likely it is that one out of 3 people who ate the same food would ill with it.
Food poisoning does not always hit everyone the same way, at the same time. The amount of food consumed, each person's constitution, and type of contaminant, can all be factors in who becomes ill, when they become ill, and for how long they are ill.
In 1965, my new stepfather, wanted to introduce his new wife and her three daughters (which I was one), to his family of origin, a nine hours drive and three states away.
We drove straight through, stopping along the way at a restaurant to eat, once the sandwiches my mother and I had made were depleted.
By the next morning, my new dad was so ill with food poisoning, that they had to take him to the hospital.
In the 53 years my parents were married, that was one, of only two times I saw him ill, and never again so ill that he nearly died.
The next victim in the family was me, showing symptoms that same evening. We fell like dominoes, from biggest to smallest; my sisters becoming ill the following day. The only one who didn't get sick, was my mother.
Even today's doctors, will say that most of the time people think they have a stomach flu, when they actually have a case of food poisoning.
Because my dad was a big man at 7ft, he naturally consumed a larger portion of food than the rest of us. I do not recall whether we all ordered the same thing that day, but my father was in the catering business, delighted in introducing us to new culinary experiences, and was an extremely generous man, who often shared food from his own plate with three little girls, whom he loved as his own.
The doctor in this story, either wasn't initially aware that all three people had consumed the exact same items (minus the bananas), or he did know, and was expecting that the other two would soon be ill as well.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder If one person had such a severe case, others would likely experience at least some milder symptoms, but not necessarily. I attended a party once where a huge pot of meat stew was served, and everybody had some. A couple of people got sick and vomited during the night but I was the only one feverish and dizzy on top of that and unable to go to work.
As he says .. Alice would have taken the 1 st sandwich as a matter of 'form'.
Thank you! Your channel is phenomenal. Your levels of detail is incredible, plus your analytical skills? Magnificent!
Top marks, can't say enough good things about this channel.
I'm glad I found this channel! The narration is excellent! Plus my favourite subject, true crimes!
Thank you very much, Sandra!
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder
Ive watched them all....a couple of them twice. its a cheek to ask , I know writing, researching, editing , checking all the blah blah blah before you upload....
Whens the next episode ?
You bloody marvellous fellow. I like your posh voice also , its not too plumy but just enough plum , grabbed my ear instant it did, anyhoos I thank you for your gripping yarns. I enjoyed them all immensely I'd like to say, as much as when my last favourite TV show finished but I haven't watched TV for long time so I can't remember what that show would be ?
I was very interested to find about the McNaughton law,
and how terrible to get arrested after you've tried to commit suicide..
And the Croydon wonder.... wasn't much of a wonder for the poor buggers, that got strung up and matey comes strolling back into town a couple of years later !
Priceless...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I was wondering if the illustrations were yours ! And they are. Quality
Same here, just subscribed😎
Why isn’t MSM watching your presentations? You are reasonably, factual, and incredibly interesting!!! No histrionics, or hyperbole, yet I watch intently for the entire segment. I guess 42 is too old to have an opinion. Everything I watch is 60 second sound bytes, with monosyllabic words.
Thank you for making these videos I am a cleaner and I listen to them as I work, gets me through the morning, also your sketches are fantastic, the whole thing is brilliant, Very informative and your voice and the way you tell the story all fits perfectly.
No doubt she did it. All 3 of them. I'm always appalled at poisoners - usually women - to watch those near to you (and sometimes supposedly dear to you), go through prolonged agony over a period of time, continuing to administer the poison, and in many cases even nursing the victim, requires a coldness and psychopathy that is hard to fathom. Presumably the defence managed to put reasonable doubt into the minds of the jury, but given her background with her sister and aunt, her inclination to deception as evinced by her mendacious marriage and finally her clever disappearance ... I say "Guilty"!
I agree, Mel! There are other circumstances I would like to have mentioned in this video but had to draw the line somewhere... She had nursed a sister for TB during the war and her sister had died. There was no suggestion that she had killed her sister, but she appeared to have been her sister's sole carer throughout her illness. I think she became fascinated with death - and possibly with the idea of removing people who were suffering needlessly or had become an encumbrance to her. Her elderly aunt and sister both had illnesses and she may have felt she was almost "doing them a favour" - even if it clearly served her interests also. When nursing the sister with tb during WW1, the doctor attending her was called "Dr Hearn"! Not long afterwards she invented a Dr Hearn whom she claimed to have married...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I'm not so sure about the "doing them a favour" thing - death by arsenic is horribly painful - no-one could imagine it to be merciful! Except a nutcase of course! Which she indubitably was!
@@MelanieMaguire Yes, you're right! Perhaps she simply resented their illnesses...
Poisoners are not usually women. Most poisoners are male, actually.
@@Buffalonie Based on what?
Masterfully presented once again. As a historian and researcher, I’m always amazed at how much detail you can dig up.
This reminds me of Agatha Christie’s “Sad Cypress” - the fish paste sandwiches! Thank you for the wonderfully told story - and that’s a very nice tie too!
Thank you, Emm! Agatha Christie was a great aficionado of many of these crimes, and it is quite likely she took her inspiration from this...
I wonder after her disappearance if she was involved in anymore possible deaths that never got reported. She could have ended up a possible undiscovered serial killer!
Yes, it is possible, if she was not sufficiently deterred by the experience of her arrest and trial. I have a friend who is writing a book on the matter and it will be interesting if he manages to uncover what became of her in later years. I was unable to do so myself...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I don't think someone who poisons people repeatedly would just stop though, do you ? That would be unusual. If she had poisoned 2 people and then stopped, that would be possible , but I always heard that a serial killer is defined as a person who kills 3 or more people. And I don't think that such a person would be deterred by Prison time. I am not a mental health professional, I could be wrong.
Please please produce more documentaries I’m loving the series and have watched them over and over again.
You're very kind indeed - I am continuing to make them, but it all takes time. Delighted you like them!
If Thomas killed his wife, he did an excellent job of framing her.
It would indeed be brilliant to frame a woman who already had poisoned others. But how could William have known at the time that Annie was an arsenic poisoner, possibly twice over? Perhaps he had read Minnie's diary.
@@aliquot8404 What would William Thomas gain from the death of his wife? Motive, Means, Opportunity? I can't see a motive.
Yes, the narration makes or breaks a channelle, well done! Vintage photos add to the charm.
What really amazes me is that this woman was quite disturbed yet she can maintain a demeanor of a caring individual.
Yes, I agree. She was extremely cool throughout and she had a history of caring - she had in fact nursed another sister who died during the war years and curiously, the doctor who looked after her sister, was called Dr Hearn!
She’s very likely a psychopath. They’re neither common nor are they rare. If you are an adult, you most certainly have encountered at least one psychopath (born like that) or sociopath (became one bc of his/her environment).
They live a compartmentalized existence. They can kill someone and go on enjoying life as if it never happened. Because they have no conscience nor do they have empathy. So the murder of a person who was a “friend” or “loved one” or a colleague does not weigh on them.
While it bothers a normal person to betray another’s trust, a psychopath sees those who trust him/her cynically, as suckers who deserve to be exploited.
Traditional therapy makes them even more dangerous bc through therapy they learn how to mimic genuine emotions.
Of course, not all psychopaths are killers. But they ALL sow destruction in their wake. If you ever worked in an environment with a psychopath, they are the person who gossips, back stabs, and has everyone fighting each other. They kiss up to the boss while simultaneously telling the boss that loyal employees can’t be trusted. A psychopath is only happy when the whole (work or family) environment is in chaos.
They lie compulsively. Not bc they need to, but bc they revel in the power to determine what is reality. Watch how someone like Trump operates. He will make an obviously false statement and when called on it he doubles down on that falsehood. His supporters know that he lies but they enable him by excusing it as pranking his enemies. He loves setting people against one another. Whatever you think of Obama (or Bush) never once did they refer to political opponents -members of the other party - as enemies.) He’s bent over backwards to make the presidency an extremely toxic environment. He’s even extended that to our allies like Great Britain & Canada. When he says that he could shoot someone in broad daylight in the middle of Fifth Avenue he’s being sincere. He has never had to suffer a consequence in his life, which makes him extremely dangerous.
Finally, studies (brain scans) of psychopaths have determined that the areas of the brain that moderate mood, impulse control & reward do not function like a normal person’s. On autopsy this doesn’t isn’t apparent bc it’s a defect in function (physiology) not structure (anatomy). Neuroscience has enabled us to study the living brain (in situ) which very persuasively shows that there are stark differences between their brains and ours.
Again, some people are born this way (psychopaths) while others are born with the predilection and environmental factors (such as injury, neglect, abuse, and so on) activate specific genes with disastrous results (sociopaths.)
While it’s theoretically possible with very early intervention that individuals with this propensity may be treatable (in very early childhood ) - this has not been demonstrated.
If this all can be proven then we will need to rethink the justice system and the way such offenders are sentenced. For example, let’s pretend that we can at some point demonstrate that their criminality is a compulsion that cannot be controlled. Are we, as a civilized society, willing to intervene before they create mayhem or begin to pile up bodies?
Let’s pretend they in the future this can be screened for and identified before a child leaves school.In a lot of situations psychopaths destroy their families bc they are manipulative and sinister, but that’s not (technically) breaking the law. How can we - as a just society - intervene where the offender’s behavior is literally destroying his/her partner/spouse & children but isn’t technically breaking the law? Are we willing to deactivate such an offender (let’s say, by committing him/her to a supervised environment) knowing full well they will never be safe to be released to the public? These are very troubling questions that can’t be answered with our current level of technology. But what if there comes a day when a tiny microchip can “treat” such behavior. Do we operate on people’s brains without their consent?
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder She was also married to a doctor so one wonders if the respect a dr's position attains made her covet, what she may have seen as, a power of life & death. over others. Her taking on the doctors cool calm bedside manner but in her was more a psychopathic trait.
@Andrew Phillips Your comment is more about you than the case. Nobody is interested in your background or rude opinions
She’s a psychopath
Many of these cases show how very devious and deadly women can be whilst hiding behind a mask of feminine compliance and vulnerability. I can say that because I am a woman.
And I can completely agree with you because I’m a woman 👍
Hilary Clinton!
“I can say that because I’m a woman”. WTF kind of stupid nonsense comment is that??? Women are humans, just like those humans that aren’t women, commonly referred to as men. Knowledge and facts aren’t inherently gendered, except by the very stupid and backward.
IME, when a woman hides behind a veneer of conventional femininity, other women catch on to her faster and have less tolerance for her BS than men do.
@@mindrolling24 whoa whoa calm down a little bit. Its ok to not be offended by everything.
Do you know I have trouble sleeping but since I found your channel I fall asleep listening to your videos.
So a big thank you for helping me feel more refreshed by having a good night's sleep going into work the next day. If I feel good I'm a much better person to be around. We all are so a big thank you!
I am delighted - thank you very much!
Bravo!!!
Our host does such incredibly excellent professional work! Is there not a bad episode amongst them.
Seems like back in the day everybody was poisoning everybody with arsenic. I think I would go the route of taking a little bit a day so I develop a resistance to it!
Am I a nuts or good?
Maybe both.
Good AND Nuts!
I'm listening to your videos again as your voice is great and so relaxing. Thank you for putting all these up.
It is my great pleasure - thank you!
I particularly appreciate Mark’s sketches,it shows a good comprehension of his subject.
Gotta admit it - Mark John Maguire has been "gifted" with a great speaking voice! We are truly blessed with his sharing his videos and narration. I really appreciate his documentaries! Warmest regards from South New Jersey, USA. ❤
Thank you very much indeed - very best regards from the UK. I will post a video shortly which happens to be in New Jersey and New York...
Arsenic was used in face creams and beauty products in those times, so all women could be at risk from it. Recent tests on Jane Austen's hair have shown she could've died from arsenic based on the amount found (she noted her periods of sickness in her diaries too).
Captivating. Happened around the time my parents were born. My grandparents could have read about this in the newspapers.
Dunno how I found your channel but certainly glad I did; subscribed to be sure!
I can state, unreservedly, that your voice, cadence and careful research are wholly appreciated and enjoyed. PLEASE DO GO ON AND ON AND ON... I find these so enjoyable that I wait until nightfall and listen to them whilst in bed wearing a sleep mask with my two pups by my side for a delightful experience free of other distractions. You, Sir, are very much appreciated. Stay Safe and Well 😷🙂😷❗️
Thank you very much - I am glad you like it and certainly appreciate your comment!
New subscriber here too! You've done a great job with these. Hopefully you'll get tons more subscribers - these are so well done and interesting. Thanks!
Scott Cardinal and Mark Maguire, both excellent storytellers in different ways. Both have soothing voices that sometimes lull me to sleep, but I'll always rewind to hear anything I might have missed
In his book " Mostly Murder" in 1957, the defence pathologist, Dr Smith of Edinburgh stated that adding the white arsenic weedkiller to the sandwiches turned them bright purple and no-one would have eaten them.. He was a great expert on arsenic poisoning and states that arsenic accumulates in hair and fingernails at 35 times the concentration in the rest of the body. As a geologist, I can also say that arsenic would be much higher in the groundwater of Cornwall. Dr Smith believed that the husband did it.
Having said that, your case is very convincing!
I wonder how long it takes to turn them purple? I don't believe the husband did it for one second.
Agreed, but it probably explains the verdict
Hello, I am a new subscriber. Have you thought of examining the arsenic poisoning of the husband of Beatrice Pace? I see you have covered many of the cases which interest me so I am bingeing on your videos. Do keep up the good work and thank you!
I'm not familiar with the case, but I'll certainly add it to the list - many thanks!
The video subject caught my eye but that voice has kept my attention. Perfect use of it as well.
This is a very unusual case in that it didn’t seem there was any clear motive on Hearn’s part. If she did in fact murder her two family members then it’s hard to see how she couldn’t be found guilty. She had a very good and well respected barrister which introduced enough doubt.
It is - and it is quite clear that only one of the 2 chief protagonists could have done it: the husband or Annie...
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder
A theory I read suggested that William Thomas killed his wife, and let Annie take the fall, so that he could be with another woman.
I know the death rate was high in the past, but I always worry when one of the suspects has lost all their family to sudden ILLNESS.
This was so interesting! I really enjoy your work.
The more I watch the more I love your voice , I now have my parents watching your channel as well on the roku on the living room tv , THEY LOVE IT TOO !!
What a lovely compliment, Mandy - thank you very much indeed! :)
I think Minnie, her sister, was a 'dry run' for Alice's murder. Annie needed to know how much to give Alice
got to watch out for that "emergency medicine" in particular.
I'm not sure why she'd kill her sister, but I'm of the opinion that she'd already killed her invalid aunt in 1926 before her sister in 1930. She'd have already known how much to use.
@@gtw4546 Exactly. Alice had a serial killer for a neighbour!
On a more serious note: a newly found gem I'm binging on
Absolutely fascinating. She did a good job of slipping into obscurity and it's strange to think she could easily have still been alive in the 1970s. My late father was a Devonian and although he was born some years after these murders I remember him often mentioning her name when I was a child. The case must have shaken Devon, and she became the archetypal evil woman in the eyes of the county's people for many long years. Another fine documentary!
Many thanks, RJ - I have a friend Jonathan Oates, who has been writing a book on this and studying it for some time. He had not, when I last spoke to him, discovered what had become of Annie. I am sure someone will some day...
I love these cases so much!!! I was a true crime addict already, but the news has been so shocking lately, hearing your voice makes me feel like I have a good friend in for tea and a chin- wag!! Thank you so much xx
Many thanks, Melissa - that's a compliment worth having!
I always love the way your stories written and narrated. I always listen before bedtime and I never fall asleep until the story is finished. Never boring.
Glad you enjoy it - thank you, Glenny!
Mark I took a look at your other channel, to view your drawings etc from yrs ago, I am fascinated with your work.... You are Truly Talented✨🤍
Thank you so much 😀
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder You're welcome... Yu are " a Jack of all trades " ⭐⭐ Great job😇 ..... ✨🤍💜✨🤍✨💜💙✨🤍✨💙💙✨💜
I am thrilled to have found your channel, it is wonderful, thank you!
My New Favourite True Crime Channel 🙋🏽♀️ How Have I Only Just Discovered You!! Thank You For Your Well Researched Stories 💙
Thank you - I'm pleased you like it!
Just found your channel and am delighted you cover so many historical crimes. You've blended my favorite genre. I've subscribed and you've made my day and I'm sure, many months to come.
...this is a very nice voice telling the story’s...I enjoy the hour with you every time!
Thank you, Rosita - I am so glad you enjoyed!
thank you for your stories, very enjoyable because of your lovely voice and timing. not rushed.
Thank you so much!
"Not Guilty" ? Their tests back then work well, they knew and could tell quantity also when it came to Arsenic. I realize the use of Arsenic was usually the choice of poisoners because of the availability in allot of the cases, but what a cruel thing to do to another human even if you detested someone and especially cruel when drawn out in smaller doses that don't kill a person straight away. A woman committing these crimes made it just a bit more creepy, because it means it could be your wife...or your Mum. Great Video presentation, I enjoy new docs on killers I've not heard of, well done Mr. McGuire 5⭐
Many thanks! Yes, arsenic is a particularly nasty way to go - prolonged, undignified, and agonising. Having witnessed the deaths in the Duff household (Croydon poisonings), Dr Binning subsequently said he believed that such poisoners deserved capital punishment because of the terrible suffering they inflicted on their victims...
These videos are always outstanding.
Another fascinating case. I appreciated your penetrating analysis of Annie Hearn's personality which I found completely convincing. One wonders how many of these "got away" cases are due to a jury's reluctance to risk mistakenly sending the accused to the gallows, whereas a life sentence may have elicited a guilty verdict.
Thank you, Mike - I agree about the jury's reluctance concerning the risk of sending an innocent person to the gallows. I am studying a case at present where the defence counsel finishes his address to the jury by playing precisely on those fears: what if you discover in a year's time you have sent an innocent man to an ignominious death, he asks. It is powerful!
Thank you for all the work you put into these stories. You do an excellent job.
You're very welcome, Louette - thank you.
How amazing that the jury found Annie "not guilty"!
I don't know if you've covered it yet, but the case of "Babbacombe" John Lee is well worth a look.
OOh yes! The man they could not Hang! Fairport Convention did a whole concept album on it! I would Still like Constance Kent and Charles Bravo
A very interesting case. Thank you 😊. This is a great channel btw and your voice is perfect for narrating👍
Thank you kindly, Sonia!
Love your channel very interesting and tastefully presented ❤
These documentaries are absolutely fantastic! The only problem is Mr. Maguire’s voice. It’s hypnotic. I find I’m drowsing off and then I have to rewind because I wasn’t focusing and miss some fascinating details. I appreciate the narrator and his attention to detail. The lack of loud music is “music” to my ears. I get irritated with many documentaries with the pounding music for drama. Bravo!
Thank you very much indeed!
Thank you mark, another fantastic case.
Many thanks indeed, Shaun!
I absolutely love your voice and covering these crimes. So classy, dignified and professional.
Thank you very much, Stephie!
I've now caught up with all of your videos. Hoping for a new one soon! Subscribed and looking forward to the next one.
Another wonderful professional presentation. Thank you.
This channel is great! Your narration is the best in the business and your logic is flawless. Enjoying these so much, thanks!
Thank you for upload 😊.
Arsenic keeps popping up as a means to murder. I had no idea this was so prevalent. I read "The Poisoner's Handbook" and that is what started me off on enjoying your cases. Well done, you
Thank you - yes, shockingly easy to obtain, and so often almost overlooked in its effects.
I enjoy ur stories. Very well presented.
Thank you very much!
Great channel gives room for interesting discussion.
Thank you, Patricia
The LAST one, oh no. Whatever will I do now for such excellent stories. Thank you!
You're very welcome!
A new fan...thank you for your wonderful stories.. much needed diversion during these trying times, go well
Thank you very much, Nola!
The sheer respectability of these people and the idyllic, picturesque Beatrix Potter setting, makes the cold cruelty of the murders and gruesome deaths all the more outrageous and sinister.
Yes, Harriet, a beautiful part of the country - and yet, Agatha Christie-like, there is a terrible crime committed...
It's strange how we imagine things differently. I have the Beatrix Potter books but they seem as remote from the world we're looking at in the era here as another planet. It brings to my mind outdoor lavs, no bathrooms. Clothes worn over & over with no cleaning. Mud roads & long skirts trailing in them. Freezing winters with little heating just more layers of mothball clothes. UGH.... I must get myself a pair of rose coloured specs 😉 I'm sure it's better for the spirit.
@@FLOSSYTREADWELL I think you already have them.It was 1930. not 1530! Lol
? Idk what tinnk
I'm absolutely besotted with your narration! Brilliant work
I'm a hospice nurse and I listen to you between patients to take my mind off of what I seeing daily. I wish there was more.
💘 the channel.
Well done.
Cheers
🐝
Thank you, Blaise - I'm really pleased you like it
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder
Keep up the solid effort.
Take care
🐝
Can I start by saying how much I am enjoying this series; so professionally presented and well written. Just to add to the debate though, I own a book, published 1958, written by Sir Sidney Smith who had a long and illustrious career as a medical expert and was involved in AH's trial. He had much experience in dealing with poisoning by arsenic as he had worked for years in Egypt, where arsenic poisoning was common. He disputes the calculations used to work out the amount of arsenic in Minnie's corpse and gives a convincing argument that the heavily impregnated soil in the churchyard, plus the open air post mortem did effect the result considerably. He also discusses years of doctors' reports on Minnie which point to a long history of gastric upsets, and chronic constipation (apparently arsenic poisoning causes diarrhea). He states that most of the symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning were missing.. He also points out that the prosecution implied that the sandwiches were doctored with weed killer. However, weed killer that contains arsenic was coloured with purple dye. Sidney Smith actually made up salmon sandwiches using the same quantity of weed killer claimed by the prosecution. This quickly and drastically coloured the sandwiches to the point no one would have eaten them. He feels AH was innocent and is more inclined to blame Mr Thomas. Just a different slant on the case.
Keep up the good work.
Yep cause he had the most to gain🤔
I really like that you just use relevant pictures of the acutal people and locations in your vids and not some random images.
PS: I also have a strange tatste on my tongue and now I'm kinda concerned. 😅
Thank you very much!
Are you still with us....? 😉
You have a very good narrative voice.
I'm really enjoying this channel. Very well done.
Thank you, Shawn!
I've been enjoying so many of your uploads and it prompted me to wonder if you have considered producing a similar series about miscarriages of justice where people were wrongfully convicted?
Thanks very much - I would like very much to do this. The Rattenbury & Stoner/ Edith Thompson cases et al have always fascinated me. I think I would need to start a new channel for that though - and possibly have an extra life!!
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder 😉
So the Powells "dob" in their housekeeper, take the reward and then spend it on a legal defence for her.
You have to admire the integrity of Victorian English, at least those not trying to kill weeds.
Where do you find all the photos you use in these stories?
It can be difficult - which is why I often must resort to drawing some myself, to augment the supply!
I have been listening to your summaries of these cases, and it is amazing how many take place in October. Do you have any theories on this outside of coincidence?
That is something I had not noticed, but it's an interesting observation. I am not aware of any studies that have been conducted into the seasonal nature of murder, but it would be an interesting study! Perhaps Autumn is a declining season which affects relationships in some way, or people's moods - in the way that we know the cycle of the moon does? I have no idea, but it is certainly the case that the canonical 5 of Jack the Ripper's victims occurred in Autumn - between 31 August and 9th November!
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder It would seem plausible that the season could cause a depressive mentality, and that could lead to the lack of resistance to the crimes. I agree, it would be an interesting study to conduct or read. Thank you for your reply.
Another one I'd missed!
Have heard of this case before but always interesting to listen to another take on it.
Thanks so much.
Thank you, Janet!
I wonder if this case gave ideas to Agatha Christie. Three people eating sandwiches and only one of them being poisoned is a crucial point in the plot of Sad Cypress, written a few years later.
Yes, that's true, I remember Sad Cypress. I'm sure Agatha Christie would have been fascinated by the murder cases of the day and inspired by them.
Peter, excellent point
Although I think the poison was actually in the tea?
My grandfather lived in Cornwall during this time. He knew the Thomas' as well. Alice was a kind, well spoken woman who was generous. My grandfather was an archaeologist and of Macedonian Romani extraction. A lot of the travellers around there would come to him for legal/moral advice and used to complain about William Thomas. Alice used to buy lots of goods from the Cornish travellers (pins, pegs, needles, cloth, etc) and let them stay on the land, but William was totally against it. Everybody knew William Thomas poisoned his wife...as the story went in the area "So now he can have Mrs Turner". AFAIC, Annie Hearn was a foolish woman, but not the murderer of Alice Thomas.
Thank you for your interesting comment. I have a friend, Dr Jonathan Oates, who is engaged in writing a book on this case at the moment, and I am sure he would be very interested to hear from you.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I was reading the autobiography of Sir Sydney Smith called "Mostly Murder". It goes into the case quite well. I remember showing my mum the book and the case and she remembered when William Thomas died at Broadoak farm. The local travellers refused to associate with him, they all thought he killed Alice.
@@takohamoolsen2432 That sounds like it will be useful to Jonathan Oates. - you referred to a "Mrs Turner". I don't recall the name, although it is a while since I looked at this case - do you have any information on her? It was quite inevitable that William Thomas would be blamed, after Annie's acquittal: as the judge said: there were only 2 people who could possibly have killed her; if it wasn't one it was the other.
@@TheyGotAwayWithMurder I'm sorry. Don't know anything about the woman only the name my grandfather told me. William Thomas, they said, died alone at his farm, despised by the community and the travellers refused to go near him. My grandfather saw him a few times, but was convinced the man had an evil presence and pop always carried his evil eye amulet to ward off the evil.
Ooh that is interesting.