I assume many of you have seen the PBS documentary on the Dr. Crippen case. It occurred when WSC was Home Secretary and he signed off on the death warrant. Given the evidence at the time, I can't disagree with his decision, especially given his well-known (from his Boer War experiences) empathy with prisoners.
However - questions remain. If the remains weren't Cora Crippen, whose were they and who actually killed that person? Was Crippen really a murderer but just hanged for the wrong crime? Given the world-wide publicity, why didn't Cora Crippen come forward? No matter how much you might dislike someone, do you really wish to see them unjustly hanged?
Given all the evidence and under the circumstances, I feel WSC made the proper decision in signing off on the death warrant. I'd be very interested in other list members views.
Jonathan Hayes
