Janice Morgan

The investigators' ears perked up. It was just the information they needed. In late 1855, the inquiry into Cook's death released their findings. They believed Palmer had killed John Cook with strychnine poison and suggested he be charged with murder. Shortly after, Palmer was arrested for Cook's murder. He was caught by surprise. He truly believed he'd gotten away with it.

The investigators' ears perked up. It was just the information they needed. In late 1855, the inquiry into Cook's death released their findings. They believed Palmer had killed John Cook with strychnine poison and suggested he be charged with murder. Shortly after, Palmer was arrested for Cook's murder. He was caught by surprise. He truly believed he'd gotten away with it.

Authorities placed Palmer in a local jail while he awaited his day in court. In May 1856, William Palmer finally faced a trial, but not in Rugeley. It was believed Palmer wouldn't receive a fair trial in his hometown since he was quite well known. Up to this point, the accused in England had to be tried in their home county.

Authorities placed Palmer in a local jail while he awaited his day in court. In May 1856, William Palmer finally faced a trial, but not in Rugeley. It was believed Palmer wouldn't receive a fair trial in his hometown since he was quite well known. Up to this point, the accused in England had to be tried in their home county.

But William Palmer's case became so newsworthy and so concerning that the British Parliament felt the need to create a new law. Nicknamed the Palmer's Act, it allows anyone accused of a crime in England to be tried at the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. The act is still on the books today.

But William Palmer's case became so newsworthy and so concerning that the British Parliament felt the need to create a new law. Nicknamed the Palmer's Act, it allows anyone accused of a crime in England to be tried at the Central Criminal Court, also known as the Old Bailey. The act is still on the books today.

Parliament managed to pass the act just in time, so the trial was moved to the Old Bailey Courthouse in London, where the jury wouldn't have deeply preconceived notions of Dr. William Palmer. While the trial started quietly, that didn't last long. Once the local press got wind of the story, Palmer's image was plastered all over town. Nearly everyone in London heard of the Rugeley poisoner.

Parliament managed to pass the act just in time, so the trial was moved to the Old Bailey Courthouse in London, where the jury wouldn't have deeply preconceived notions of Dr. William Palmer. While the trial started quietly, that didn't last long. Once the local press got wind of the story, Palmer's image was plastered all over town. Nearly everyone in London heard of the Rugeley poisoner.

In these papers, every detail of Palmer's life was exposed, from his early education to the deaths of his wife and children. Like us, the public was able to draw their own conclusions about the tragedies throughout Palmer's life. Meanwhile, inside the walls of the Old Bailey, the prosecution made their case. There was little physical evidence, but they had a compelling tale.

In these papers, every detail of Palmer's life was exposed, from his early education to the deaths of his wife and children. Like us, the public was able to draw their own conclusions about the tragedies throughout Palmer's life. Meanwhile, inside the walls of the Old Bailey, the prosecution made their case. There was little physical evidence, but they had a compelling tale.

They discussed Palmer's gambling and staggering debts. Palmer professed his innocence in court, but the coincidences stacked up. His racing partner Leonard Bladen dying in his home with his ledger missing. Ann Palmer's death only months after a life insurance policy was handed out. Walter Palmer's death under similar circumstances. The attempts to put a policy on George Bates.

They discussed Palmer's gambling and staggering debts. Palmer professed his innocence in court, but the coincidences stacked up. His racing partner Leonard Bladen dying in his home with his ledger missing. Ann Palmer's death only months after a life insurance policy was handed out. Walter Palmer's death under similar circumstances. The attempts to put a policy on George Bates.

And now, finally, John Cook missing. Then, Mr. Newton testified that Palmer bought strychnine from him. The alleged murder weapon was in Palmer's possession. And that sealed the deal. After 12 days of testimony, the trial ended. The jury didn't even deliberate for a full day before convicting Dr. William Palmer of John Cook's murder. He was guilty. The judge sentenced Palmer to death.

And now, finally, John Cook missing. Then, Mr. Newton testified that Palmer bought strychnine from him. The alleged murder weapon was in Palmer's possession. And that sealed the deal. After 12 days of testimony, the trial ended. The jury didn't even deliberate for a full day before convicting Dr. William Palmer of John Cook's murder. He was guilty. The judge sentenced Palmer to death.

Palmer remained stone-faced. All of his scheming had landed him at death's door. And now, no amount of strategy or legal maneuvering was getting him out. On June 14th, 1856, guards grabbed Palmer out of his jail cell. They marched him towards the gallows outside of Stafford Prison. Palmer heard the sounds of a large crowd as he made his way to the platform.

Palmer remained stone-faced. All of his scheming had landed him at death's door. And now, no amount of strategy or legal maneuvering was getting him out. On June 14th, 1856, guards grabbed Palmer out of his jail cell. They marched him towards the gallows outside of Stafford Prison. Palmer heard the sounds of a large crowd as he made his way to the platform.

He mounted the steps, and a truly remarkable sight unfolded in front of him. Tens of thousands of people crowded around, awaiting his death. Authorities asked Palmer if he had any last words. To the audience's dismay, he had no speech prepared, though he meekly maintained his innocence. As Palmer walked over the trapdoor, legend has it that he asked if it was safe.

He mounted the steps, and a truly remarkable sight unfolded in front of him. Tens of thousands of people crowded around, awaiting his death. Authorities asked Palmer if he had any last words. To the audience's dismay, he had no speech prepared, though he meekly maintained his innocence. As Palmer walked over the trapdoor, legend has it that he asked if it was safe.

Authorities placed a cover over Palmer's head before the noose came down. In the darkness, the crowd noise swelled. To Palmer, it might have sounded like he was at the horse races. Minutes later, William Palmer was pronounced dead. He was only convicted of killing one person, but his legend grew over the years. The Rugeley Poisoner is one of the most famous murder cases of the 19th century.

Authorities placed a cover over Palmer's head before the noose came down. In the darkness, the crowd noise swelled. To Palmer, it might have sounded like he was at the horse races. Minutes later, William Palmer was pronounced dead. He was only convicted of killing one person, but his legend grew over the years. The Rugeley Poisoner is one of the most famous murder cases of the 19th century.