Ex-library hardcover imperial octavo (VG) in d/w (VG) ; all our specials have minimal description to keep listing them viable. Derek Bentley ( Christopher Eccleston) is an illiterate, epileptic, mentally disabled young adult who falls into a gang led by a 16 year old student, Christopher Craig (Paul Reynolds). It was within Fyfe’s power to advise the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth to show mercy, commuting Bentley’s death sentence to life imprisonment. Like the author, I too am sufficiently cynical, in view of all that has happened in this case, to expect the deposition of Claude Pain and a few other documents to have disappeared by then; Claude Pain's presence on the roof was never fully acknowledged. Witnesses to the crime reported hearing Bentley shouting, “Let him have it, Chris,” before the trigger was pulled.

Exchanging Valentines can be an awkward process, especially when you consider “Vinegar Valentines” and other snarky sentiments - whatever your tastes, enjoy the sweet and sour cards alike in this gallery! The crime scandalised the nation – especially as Bentley was known to have learning difficulties and Craig avoided a death sentence due to the fact that he was only 16 when he pulled the trigger. This drama reveals the controversial postwar 1950's London murder trial that sent an intellectually challenged young man to the gallows for a murder he did not commit. After his release he married, had children, became a plumber, and became a productive member of society.

Bentley carried a knuckle-duster, which he had been given by Craig, who had been fined the previous year for possessing a firearm without a certificate. The outcome of the trial, and Home Secretary David Maxwell Fyfe's failure to grant clemency to Bentley, were highly controversial.

Misplaced Retribution: Derek is hanged while the actual murderer gets ten years, despite being in police custody when the shooting occurred. It features the Home Secretary, David Maxwell-Fyfe, and an appearance from the trial judge, Lord Goddard.Webley calibre revolver, the barrel of which he had shortened so that it could be carried easily in his pocket. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Improbable Aiming Skills: The defense argues that, as Craig had sawed off his revolver's barrel to about three inches, leaving a large jag that would send any bullet flying off randomly and having to make do with whatever ammo he could find and fit in the chambers, accuracy would be next to impossible, but it would be possible to hit something he wasn't aiming for, and thus PC Miles' death should be ruled manslaughter. This does not imply that the book is reserved for you but simply that at the time of the request it was listed as available on our computer.

Despite several attempts, Parliament was given no opportunity to debate the issue until the sentence had been carried out.Detective Sergeant Fairfax is seen retrieving a Smith and Wesson Second Model Hand Ejector when the shooting starts. The job of deciding whether (a) Bentley had said the words and (b) if he did, what he meant by them, was down to the jury alone, but they were misled by the trial judge. Derek Bentley hanged for murderTeenager Derek Bentley has been executed at Wandsworth Prison in London for his part in the murder of Pc Sidney Miles. To this day, it is unclear if he meant it literally, as in "surrender the gun" (as argued by his defense) or figuratively, as in "shoot him" (as argued by the prosecution). Other sections give the transcript of Niven Craig's trial, the Bentley appeal, and the debate in the House of Commons on the eve of the execution.