William Benjamin Reeve

William Benjamin Reeve was convicted of the murder of his wife Harriett Reeve 40 and sentenced to death.

He shot her at their home at 8 Plantation Road, Leighton Buzzard on 5 July 1915 while she sat in a chair and then attempted to commit suicide.

The doctor was called to 84 Church Street first at about 7pm on 5 July 1915 where he saw William Reeve lying on the floor with a severe wound to his throat such that might have been caused by a razor.

The doctor said that he then went on to 8 Plantation Road with a policeman where he saw Harriett Reeve upon a chair to the right of the doorway to the cottage. He said that her left leg was crossed over her right leg and that her left hand was in her lap. He said that her right elbow was resting on a table and that her hand was hanging down. He said that she was dead and that he found that a large portion of her right lower jaw had been blown away.