York Murders (Murder & Crime) (Murder & Crime)

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These reports were a combination of detective work and rumour, say researchers. Some juries strategically constructed narratives aimed at influencing verdicts such as self-defence. Each case provides a glimpse of the dynamics that created a burst of violence on a street in England some seven centuries ago,” Eisner added.

A thwytel was a small knife, often valued at one penny, and used as cutlery or for everyday tasks. Axes were commonplace in homes for cutting wood, and many men carried a staff.” Some 12% of London’s homicides were committed with a sword. Rosie and her daughter, Becca – Dan’s sister – still remember their last conversation with him. He rang the Thursday before he was murdered to say he was no longer staying at the Cemetery Road flat where he had been living. “Mum said, ‘Why don’t you come home?’” Becca recalls. “He said he couldn’t leave Kev. He was loyal, that’s how I would describe him.” On March 16 th 1190 a wave of anti-Semitic riots culminated in the massacre of an estimated 150 Jews – the entire Jewish community of York – who had taken refuge in the royal castle where Clifford’s Tower now stands. The chronicler William of Newburgh described the rioters as York acting “without any scruple of Christian conscientiousness”in wiping out the Jewish community. And William was not the only chronicler to record these lamentable acts, as the Chronicles of the Abbey of Meaux in East Yorkshire, and Roger of Howden include accounts. It will be ten years at least before Marshall is even considered for parole. But even the thought of him one day being released horrifies the family. Becca agrees that she will never forgive her brother’s killer. “But I would like to know he is sorry.”There were 5,642 violent crime incidents (violent crime rate 2,798) in York in the year ending July 2022. The chance of being involved in a violent crime incident in York is about a 2.80% chance per year. That is why they have set up a Facebook campaign calling either for the return of the death penalty or for life to mean life. Becca even produced a YouTube video to promote the campaign. We do not have any evidence to show juries wilfully lied, but many inquests will have been a 'best guess' based on available information,” said Cambridge historian and co-researcher Dr Stephanie Brown. He was such a lovely boy, happy and full of fun. Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this dreadful time.”

Marshall showed not one bit of remorse, she says. During his trial, he was asked what was going through his head when he killed the two men. “I wanted them dead,” he replied. A Thursday night in 1298 saw an argument between students in an Oxford High Street tavern result in a mass street brawl with swords and battle-axes. The coroner recorded student John Burel had “a mortal wound on the crown of his head, six inches long and in depth reaching to the brain”. Before modern policing, victims or witnesses had a legal responsibility to alert the community to a crime by shouting and making noise. This was known as raising a hue and cry,” said Dr Stephanie Brown. You’ve got the trial, and unpleasant as it is at least it is something to focus on,” she says. “Then you get the sentence, and at the time you’re satisfied with the sentence.

There were 4,443 incidents of theft (theft crime rate 2,203) in York in the year ending July 2022. The chance of being involved in an incident of theft in York is about a 2.20% chance per year. Rosie has thought of leaving York. The memories here are too painful. Becca sometimes she finds herself drawn to Gillygate, staring at the flat where Dan died. Neither killer gave any reaction when the sentence was passed. Both had denied murder and Turpin had denied the charge of actual bodily harm but been convicted by a jury last week.