William Palmer: Difference between revisions

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During the examination of Cook's corpse Palmer blatantly interfered; he bumped into the surgeon in charge, causing him to spill the contents of Cook's stomach across the floor, before putting it in a jar and taking it for "safekeeping". When Palmer sent the jar to a toxicologist he reported that the contents had been badly damaged and was of no use to him. During a second examination Palmer attempted to bribe the coroner, prompting the police to arrest him. This also lead to suspicion that he killed Cook.

Palmer was charged with Cook's murder at the Old Bailey. During the trial, the corpses of Palmer's wife and brother were exhumed. No poison could be found in his brother's corpse due to decomposition, but his wife's organs contained traces of antimony. During the trial several witnesses testified that Palmer had bought strychnine shortly before ~~Palmer~~'s death, and that Cook had personally believed that Palmer had poisoned him. Dr. Bamford testified on Palmer's behalf, but was soon found to be too senile to be regarded as a reliable witness. Several other doctors also testified that Cook had died from strychnine. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.

Palmer was charged with Cook's murder at the Old Bailey. During the trial, the corpses of Palmer's wife and brother were exhumed. No poison could be found in his brother's corpse due to decomposition, but his wife's organs contained traces of antimony. During the trial several witnesses testified that Palmer had bought strychnine shortly before Cook's death, and that Cook had personally believed that Palmer had poisoned him. Dr. Bamford testified on Palmer's behalf, but was soon found to be too senile to be regarded as a reliable witness. Several other doctors also testified that Cook had died from strychnine. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.

Palmer was hanged on 14 June 1856. Before his death the prison governor asked him to confess his guilt, but Palmer ambiguously replied "Cook did not die from strychnine".

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 During the examination of Cook's corpse Palmer blatantly interfered; he bumped into the surgeon in charge, causing him to spill the contents of Cook's stomach across the floor, before putting it in a jar and taking it for "safekeeping". When Palmer sent the jar to a toxicologist he reported that the contents had been badly damaged and was of no use to him. During a second examination Palmer attempted to bribe the coroner, prompting the police to arrest him. This also lead to suspicion that he killed Cook.
-Palmer was charged with Cook's murder at the Old Bailey. During the trial, the corpses of Palmer's wife and brother were exhumed. No poison could be found in his brother's corpse due to decomposition, but his wife's organs contained traces of antimony. During the trial several witnesses testified that Palmer had bought strychnine shortly before Palmer's death, and that Cook had personally believed that Palmer had poisoned him. Dr. Bamford testified on Palmer's behalf, but was soon found to be too senile to be regarded as a reliable witness. Several other doctors also testified that Cook had died from strychnine. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.
+Palmer was charged with Cook's murder at the Old Bailey. During the trial, the corpses of Palmer's wife and brother were exhumed. No poison could be found in his brother's corpse due to decomposition, but his wife's organs contained traces of antimony. During the trial several witnesses testified that Palmer had bought strychnine shortly before Cook's death, and that Cook had personally believed that Palmer had poisoned him. Dr. Bamford testified on Palmer's behalf, but was soon found to be too senile to be regarded as a reliable witness. Several other doctors also testified that Cook had died from strychnine. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.
 Palmer was hanged on 14 June 1856. Before his death the prison governor asked him to confess his guilt, but Palmer ambiguously replied "Cook did not die from strychnine".