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The 1950s London amateur robbery ends with murder. One of the men involved is 19-year-old Derek Bentley. Bentley has the understanding of a child – and he was not a murderer. However, the UK’s judicial system appears to be determined to impose the death penalty. The fate of the death penalty is in balance, and so is the fate of Derek Bentley.
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Derek Bentley:
“Bentley: The Hangman’s Account.” by Albert Pierrepoint. Guardian. July 31, 1998.
https://www.derekbentley.com/pierrepoint/wnjul98.html
“Efforts to save Bentley fail” Guardian. January 28, 1953.
Regina v. Derek William Bentley (deceased) [1998] EWCA CRIM2516. 30 July 30, 1998.
“Efforts to save Bentley fail” Guardian. January 28, 1953.
Peeler has been policing at Waltham Abbey since 1840. By Bryn Elliott. 2001.
“Let him have it!” by David Morgan. Inside Croydon. March 26, 2023.
“1953: Derek Bentley was hanged for murder. ” BBC News.
“Close-up of message board, the front of the glass is broken” Associated Press Photos. January 28, 1953.
“Derek Bentley was hanged. ” January 28, 1953.
About crime and death penalty:
Firearms (modification) bill. House of Representatives. June 11, 1997.
“Long-term historical trends in violent crime“Manuel Eisner. Crime and Justice. Cambridge University. 2003
“Secret Executor“By Marcel Berlins. Guardian. March 31, 2006
The abolition of the UK’s death penalty. Julian Knowles QC. 2015
Lord Goddard:
Violent crime. Hansard. The lord’s house. March 23rd, 1950.
“The Tiger’s End” time. September 1, 1958.
“Judge Bentley attacked” BBC News. July 30, 1998.
“The Supreme Court ran away with murder“Marcel Berlins. Independence. August 2, 1998.
