Charles Oliver Blewitt

Charles Oliver Blewitt was convicted of the murder of his wife Mary Ann Blewitt 33 and sentenced to death. He cut her throat around 8 June 1900 at their home at 7 Star Fold, Beeston, Leeds. After he went to Halifax and got a job with Cornelius Redman & Sons Limited under the false name of Oliver Jackson. When he was arrested on 3 July 1900 he said that he knew nothing of her death and had simply gone to Halifax to get a job and would return when he had been successful. He said that Mary Blewitt must have committed suicide. Mary Blewitt was last seen alive with Charles Blewitt on 8 June 1900 shortly after which the blinds were drawn down and the house closed up. Mary Blewitt was found dead in their house by the landlord on 17 June 1900 when he broke in after trying to find them. When he went in he found Mary Blewitt sitting in a rocking chair with a shawl over her head. When he removed the shawl he found that her throat had been cut and that she had wounds on the hand and wrists. The prosecution at the trial submitted that Charles Blewitt had murdered her and that she had not committed suicide, noting that there was no weapon found nearby and that blood was found on some boots in the house that had belonged to Charles Blewitt. He was tried twice, with the first jury having failed to agree. When the second trial opened the prosecution told the jury that they would not say anything on whether the case was one of murder or suicide and would leave that up to the jury, but said that if it was not a case of suicide, then who committed the murder?, noting that all the facts pointed to Charles Blewitt. However, he added that if it was not Charles Blewitt, then it must have been someone who was so well acquainted with Mary Blewitt that he could get behind her and take her unawares. However, the defence stated that there was nothing against Charles Blewitt but suspicion, noting that there was no motive for the crime and that on the other hand that Charles Blewitt and Mary Blewitt had lived happily together and that there was every motive for him keeping Mary Blewitt alive. He added, further, that there was also nothing in Charles Blewitt's behaviour since he left home at Beeston to suggest to the jury that he was guilty of the crime. When the judge summed up he said that he thought that the jury would have little trouble in deciding that the case was one of murder, and added they should not entertain the vague suggestion, unsupported by evidence, that a third party had entered the house and committed the murder. The judge then noted Charles Blewitt's behaviour at Halifax when one of his fellow-workmen placed a copy of a newspaper containing his photograph on his bench, and noted that Charles Blewitt told one of the witnesses that he had not heard of the murder. The judge then said, 'But if he had had the curiosity to inquire, he would have known that the woman who had been murdered was his wife, the woman above all others he was bound to protect. But he did not make any inquiry. If he was ignorant of the murder, he was probably the only man in the place who was. It may have been that the prisoner did not notice the paper. A guilty man would assume an air of indifference. An innocent man, whose wife had been murdered, would have been anxious to inquire into the circumstances and vindicate the honour of his wife'. The judge then noted that when Charles Blewitt was arrested he made no answer to the charge of having murdered his wife, and asked whether an innocent man, learning for the first time that his wife had been murdered, would have made a reply?, asking, would he not have asked, 'When, where, how?'. The jury spent 35 minutes deliberating before returning their verdict of wilful murder after which the judge passed the sentence of death. After passing the sentence of death the judge said to Charles Blewitt, 'Charles Oliver Blewitt, the jury, after a careful trial, and after hearing a most able defence by your counsel, have found you guilty of the crime with which you are charged. I have only to say I agree with that verdict. You will have the opportunity which you denied your victim, of making preparations for your change'. Charles Blewitt was said to have not been moved by the sentencing or remarks in the slightest degree and walked calmly out of the dock. Charles Blewitt had been a tanner.