Perpetrator
William Palmer
- Born
- 6 August 1824
- Died
- 14 June 1856, aged about 32
- Record
- Wikidata Q563618 · Wikipedia
Perpetrator in The Rugeley Poisoner
Rugeley surgeon and racehorse owner, convicted of poisoning John Parsons Cook and hanged at Stafford.
1855–1856 · Rugeley, Staffordshire, England · Executed
A Staffordshire doctor deep in racing debts, a friend's winnings at Shrewsbury, and a strychnine trial moved to London by Act of Parliament. Read the case.
Dated events
William Palmer is born in Rugeley, Staffordshire.
Ann Palmer dies; Palmer collects on a large policy on her life.
Walter Palmer dies; the insurer refuses to pay and sends investigators.
Palmer settles Cook's bets in London and that evening obtains strychnine in Rugeley.
A post-mortem is held, during which Palmer interferes with the samples.
The inquest jury returns a verdict of wilful murder against Palmer, and he is arrested.
Palmer's trial opens at the Central Criminal Court.
Palmer is hanged in public outside Stafford gaol.