The Oscar Slater Murder Story: New Light on a Classic Miscarriage of Justice

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The Oscar Slater Murder Story: New Light on a Classic Miscarriage of Justice

On Scotiana, we are all fans of Conan Doyle, the very popular Scottish author who was born in Edinburgh on May 22nd , and of course of Sherlock Holmes, his very famous detective who has become so popular all over the world than some people still think he is a true detective. Conan Doyle is less known as the defender of two great causes, not to say lost causes, which made the headlines in his time: It is a very special case and indeed one which is studied in law schools and universities.

The books complete each other and sometimes their conclusions contradict. They have made and still do considerable research work.

More books will be added to this list in the next posts. My notes start with the very beginning of The Oscar Slater Case, that is the fatal day of 21 December when Miss Gilchrist, a rich old lady was savagely assassinated in a wealthy and peaceful area of Glasgow. From this close, three short flights of common stair led up to the first-floor flat, where Miss Gilchrist had lived for the past odd years.

This savage murder took place around 7 p. Miss Gilchrist, a rich old lady, had inhabited on the first floor flat, a large and very cosy apartment, for three decades.

The top floor was empty which made the old lady rather insecure. Indeed, she had become more and more anxious in the last months, following the unexplained death of her little dog and the growing problems with some members of her family which had led her to write a new will.

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She also feared burglary for she kept priceless jewels in her flat. She even thought that she could be murdered. When you opened it, a flight of stairs led up to the first floor, where there was a flat occupied by a Miss Marion Gilchrist. The stairway continued up to the second floor and an unoccupied flat.

Although he was a Jew, he always observed Christmas and sent his old father and mother in Germany a present every year. Jack House Square Mile of Murder. The short December afternoon has died early into winter darkness. Four shopping days to Christmas.

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She closes the front door and shuts the street door. Arthur Adams is then sitting in the dining room busy tying up a Christmas parcel while his sister Laura, who has just learned that the pupil to whom she was about to give a music lesson could not come, is standing in front of the fireplace when they suddenly hear a tremendous thud upstairs, as if Miss Gilchrist had fallen on the ground.

Laura immediately thinks Miss Gilchrist is calling for help. The flat door is closed. He rings three times without receiving any answer. Through glass panels on the either side of the door, he notices that the lobby gas is lit. Then, he perceives noises which he attributes to the maid who must be breaking sticks in the kitchen.

After waiting for a few minutes he returns to his house but Laura, who has heard more noises in the above dining-room, is not convinced that everything is ok with the old lady.

The Oscar Slater frame-up: How a murder trial changed Scots law

It is about six or seven minutes after seven. No sound can be heard from the flat this time. While Adams keeps ringing the bell Lambie comes back, surprised to find him there and also to have found the street door ajar and footmarks on the two steps nearest the door. Arthur tells her that there must be something wrong with her mistress.

The Oscar Slater frame-up: How a murder trial changed Scots law | The National

They have heard alarming noises from above and a sound which made them feel the ceiling was going to crack. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. The Oscar Slater Murder Story: Oscar Slater, a disreputable German immigrant, living on the fringe of the Glaswegian underworld and off the proceeds of gambling and prostitution, was sentenced to death in for the brutal murder of Marion Gilchrist, a rich spinster who lived with a secret hoard of precious jewels hidden in her wardrobe in Edwardian Glasgow's fashionable West Princes Street.

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Slater, t Oscar Slater, a disreputable German immigrant, living on the fringe of the Glaswegian underworld and off the proceeds of gambling and prostitution, was sentenced to death in for the brutal murder of Marion Gilchrist, a rich spinster who lived with a secret hoard of precious jewels hidden in her wardrobe in Edwardian Glasgow's fashionable West Princes Street. Slater, travelling with his mistress under a false name, was tracked down and arrested in New York.

Extradited and tried in Edinburgh, he actually heard the gallows being erected for him, but was reprieved at the 11th hour and spent the next 18 years in the granite fortress of Peterhead prison, ceaselessly protesting his innocence. Kindle Edition , pages. And if it doesn't say it is a First Edition, it isn't. The Oscar Slater murder story: Neil Wilson Publishing, An account of the famous trial, with numerous references to Doyle. Ordering this book To order books please use the form at the right and we will advise you of availability and the total cost, including postage and packing.

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