London: A Murder Verdict in Victorian Court

London: A Murder Verdict in Victorian Court

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins February 24, 2026 Duration: 29:16

A Victorian courtroom drama unfolds as a chilling murder verdict is delivered in 19th-century London, a place of evolving laws and societal norms. This episode, nestled in the heart of Season 38's exploration of 'The Rugeley Poisoner,' uncovers the judicial outcomes and societal impact of murder trials during this transformative era. Episode 3 follows the toxic trail left by the infamous Dr. William Palmer. This physician, perceived by many as a respectable figure, secretly loitered in deceitful practices. Before accusations shadowed over him, Palmer was known for his medical expertise and charm, captivating the trust of many. This case's significance lies in its pivotal role in shaping forensic science and challenging perceptions of professionalism and truth within Victorian society. It underscored the era’s limitations in legal frameworks concerning evidence and the interpretation of scientific data. Case details chart Palmer’s methodical approach to eliminating those around him, using poison, an agent of death that walked hand in hand with mystery. As the case unravelled, evidence pointed to a methodical plot built on small errors and oversight, leading detectives through a maze of deceit. The Victorian era bridged the old and new in terms of judicial practice. Emerging scientific techniques clashed with antiquated beliefs, reflecting broader social unrest amidst rapid industrialization and class divisions. Listeners will enter the Victorian courtrooms, visualizing the tension-laden trials through dramatizations and expert narratives. Insights into legal and social standards will illuminate the blurred lines between truth and justice in a rapidly changing world. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod



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Step back into an era of flickering gaslight and whispered secrets, where justice was often as murky as the London fog or as stark as a frontier town’s saloon. Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast exhumes long-forgotten criminal cases from the 1800s and early 1900s, meticulously piecing together stories that newspapers sensationalized and time nearly erased. Hosts Shane Waters, a veteran whose work helped shape the genre, and Wendy Cee, alongside researcher Gemma Hoskins, guide you through each meticulously researched season. They focus on a single, complete narrative, building the tension from the crime itself through the investigation and into the courtroom’s hushed drama. You’ll hear more than just the facts; you’ll get a sense of the societal pressures, the legal limitations, and the human lives entangled in each historical moment. This isn't about quick summaries-it's a deep, immersive audio experience that treats the past with the gravity it deserves. The podcast connects the dots using original documents, period accounts, and a clear-eyed analysis that separates legend from truth. It’s for anyone who wonders about the real stories lurking in the shadows of history, told with a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s care for the victims and the complexities of their times. Listen to Foul Play for a compelling journey where every clue matters and history itself is the most important character.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
California: Cases Against Kane & Poste — Zodiac Links [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
The intricate links to Kane and Poste paint a shadowy picture in the Zodiac...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriva…
Brooklyn: Night of Terror — Zodiac's Reach, Pt 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:42
Brooklyn's chilling saga finds its culmination, revealing the Zodiac Copycat...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…
Brooklyn: Night of Terror — Zodiac's Reach, Pt 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:08
The grim landscape of Brooklyn in 1990 resurfaces with echoes of the Zodiac...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriva…
California: Gaikowski's Zodiac Double Life Allegation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:59
Richard Gaikowski's potential ties with the Zodiac Killer weave a complex...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
California: Rick Marshall's Zodiac Investigation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:14
Rick Marshall's entanglement with the Zodiac case brings new dimensions...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &…
California: The Zodiac Case Against Allen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:47
Unraveling the evidence around Arthur Leigh Allen reveals deeper intricacies...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…
California: Suspect Arthur Leigh Allen's Zodiac Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:50
Arthur Leigh Allen stood under the Zodiac's dark shadow, his every move...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &…
California: The Zodiac's Theories and Evidence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:45
Drawing connections between the Zodiac Killer's evasive nature and lingering...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…
San Francisco: The Zodiac's Final Letters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:16
From 1971 to 1974, the Zodiac Killer's final letters left a fractured...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & O…
California: Zodiac's Unsolved Beach Murders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:14
The untold stories of the beach murders reveal the shadowy path of the...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &…