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History Rewritten: Myths Busted & New Truths Uncovered

Cochise said:
Perhaps Wiltshire should be given back to the Beaker People
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The land plus reparations!

beaker.jpg
 
An old case reconsidered.

Nearly 200 years ago a father to two young girls was sentenced to death for torching a farmer's barn. But a mature student has found that the execution of James Ewen was both likely a miscarriage of justice and, in an unusual twist, presented his research findings in the form of a song.

"It was all a foregone conclusion," says 69-year-old Mick Ekers about the execution of Mr Ewen in 1830. "They needed somebody to execute as a warning to others, even if that person was innocent."

Mr Ewen was a 36-year-old farm labourer in Rayleigh, Essex. He was married to Elizabeth and had two little girls, Elizabeth and Mary. Accused and convicted of setting fire to a barn belonging to John Sach, of Peverils Farm, Mr Ewen was executed at Chelmsford on Christmas Eve.

Mick Ekers, who lives in Leigh-on-Sea and who previously enjoyed a successful career in IT, became fascinated with Mr Ewen's fate after finding a brief reference to the case while studying for a history degree at the University of Essex.

Mr Ekers's degree thesis, although accompanied by a 15,000 word supporting document, is a seven minute folk song in the style of a 19th century broadsheet ballad.

Written by Mr Ekers and arranged by Kate Waterfield, the song will be performed for the first time publicly at the 2022 Leigh Folk Festival which runs from 23 June to 26 June.

Dr Andrew Priest, head of history at the University of Essex, said: "[Mick's} argument that historians need to take popular song much more seriously completely convinced his examiners who recognised the extremely high-quality and creativity of his project as well as the potential impact that such public presentations of history can have on people's understanding of the past."

The Rayleigh farmhouse fire occurred amid a wave of protests among rural communities in the south east of England known as the "Swing Riots"- so called because the incidents were accompanied with letters signed by a "Captain Swing".

The grievances of those involved included poor working conditions, low wages and new machines which reduced the amount of work available for those seeking employment. ...

But within days of his conviction, on 24 December 1830, Mr Ewen was hanged outside Chelmsford Gaol.
Some time later, two people were arrested for arson in Maidstone. They confessed to setting the fire in Rayleigh.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-61824785
 
Took a long time to get an apology.

The family of a father who was wrongly convicted of murder have been given a police apology 70 years after he was executed in a British prison.

Mahmood Mattan, a British Somali and former seaman, was hanged in 1952 after he was convicted of killing shopkeeper Lily Volpert in her store in Cardiff.

His conviction was the first Criminal Case Review Commission referral to be quashed at the Court of Appeal in 1998.

South Wales Police have apologised and admitted the prosecution was "flawed".

"This is a case very much of its time - racism, bias and prejudice would have been prevalent throughout society, including the criminal justice system," said its chief constable, Jeremy Vaughan. "There is no doubt that Mahmood Mattan was the victim of a miscarriage of justice as a result of a flawed prosecution, of which policing was clearly a part. It is right and proper that an apology is made on behalf of policing for what went so badly wrong in this case 70 years ago and for the terrible suffering of Mr Mattan's family and all those affected by this tragedy for many years."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62637770
 
ramonmercado said:
Took a long time to get an apology.

The family of a father who was wrongly convicted of murder have been given a police apology 70 years after he was executed in a British prison.

Mahmood Mattan, a British Somali and former seaman, was hanged in 1952 after he was convicted of killing shopkeeper Lily Volpert in her store in Cardiff.

His conviction was the first Criminal Case Review Commission referral to be quashed at the Court of Appeal in 1998.

South Wales Police have apologised and admitted the prosecution was "flawed".

"This is a case very much of its time - racism, bias and prejudice would have been prevalent throughout society, including the criminal justice system," said its chief constable, Jeremy Vaughan. "There is no doubt that Mahmood Mattan was the victim of a miscarriage of justice as a result of a flawed prosecution, of which policing was clearly a part. It is right and proper that an apology is made on behalf of policing for what went so badly wrong in this case 70 years ago and for the terrible suffering of Mr Mattan's family and all those affected by this tragedy for many years."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-62637770
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The jury managed to find him guilty despite several sound alibi witness statements. So not entirely the police's fault.
 
Coal said:
The jury managed to find him guilty despite several sound alibi witness statements. So not entirely the police's fault.
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No, but the police played an important part. There would have been no prosecution if they had done their duty properly. The full article at the link puts the case in the context of society in the 1950s.
 
ramonmercado said:
No, but the police played an important part. There would have been no prosecution if they had done their duty properly. The full article at the link puts the case in the context of society in the 1950s.
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I'm not saying is wasn't at least partly their fault, but the entire process rail-roaded the poor man, including "12 good men and true". There are others that owe an apology, not just the police. :hoff:
 
A previous DA had refused to allow a DNA test in 2000.

A US man who spent nearly four decades in prison for murder has been released after new DNA evidence pointed to a different person.

Maurice Hastings served more than 38 years in state prison for the 1983 murder of Roberta Wydermyer in California and two attempted murders. But new DNA evidence instead pointed to another man who died in prison in 2020.
Now 69, Mr Hastings has been released from prison after his 1988 conviction was vacated on 20 October.

LA County District Attorney George Gascón described his conviction as a "terrible injustice".

"The justice system is not perfect, and when we learn of new evidence which causes us to lose confidence in a conviction, it is our obligation to act swiftly," he added in a statement.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63437208
 
AmStramGram said:
Isn't it a consequence of the arthurian legends, where the Saxons play the bad part ?

The Franco-Norman knights promoted their own version of the arthurian legends and posed as heirs of Arthur and his men. Be it in Ireland or Scotland, many "celtic" independantists actually had Norman roots : both Robert the Bruce, and his Commyn rivals, for instance, came from prominent families from French Cotentin.

Conversely, some Saxon kings probably had Celtic origins. Cerdic of Wessex has a very british sounding name to me : Ceredig / Caradoc. A German would rather have been named Cedric than Cerdic.
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This got me thinking that much of the British Isles' colonisation could be argued as benign and beneficial.
The Beaker people brought innovative ceramic technology and the beginnings of agriculture.
The Celts from Iberia, further developed agriculture, textiles and founded the first proper settlements.
Without reprising Monty Python too much, the Romans gave us an astonishingly advanced road network, aqueducts, law and order and greatly expanded settlements into true towns.
The Anglo-Saxons gave us our language and fundamental national identity.
A bit trickier to say too much positive about either the first wave of Vikings or the second wave, known as Normans, but they were undeniably a great sea-faring people and we can arguably owe advances in shipbuilding and navigation to them - possibly giving us a head start in Britannia "ruling the waves"?
Then fast-forward to recent decades and Asians, West Indians, Europeans etc. have all made their mark on the British identity.
So, before condemning colonialism as evil, perhaps a little more consideration should be given to Its positive side?
 
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RaM said:
A terrible injustice, he was lucky in one way,
the American justice system often buries it's mistakes.
:omr:
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I do not disagree with you, but do disagree about the lack of context: everyone's justice system often buries it's mistakes. At least in the "developed" countries. This is evident in the previous postings to this discussion; perhaps you thought everyone already knew this about the UK justice system? If so, I apologize for misunderstanding you.

I spent about 25 years doing volunteer work supporting victims of domestic abuse and this sometimes involved supporting them in the courts. My observation was that the person with the deepest pockets had the best attorney. It was just weird how often this was the abuser! Human nature being what it is, I suspect that on an individual basis and a collective one - like a court system - "mistakes" are buried because it benefits someone.
 
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One of the most annoying aspects of the U.S. justice system - and I suspect it's the case elsewhere - is that once someone is convicted the presumption of innocence disappears. Contrary to popular belief, appeals are not retrials; they only address improprieties in the proceedings or the law. And even when new evidence negates the scenario presented by the prosecution, courts don't like to reopen cases lest it lead to a flood of trivial challenges by others who still proclaim innocence.
 
ChasFink said:
One of the most annoying aspects of the U.S. justice system - and I suspect it's the case elsewhere - is that once someone is convicted the presumption of innocence disappears. Contrary to popular belief, appeals are not retrials; they only address improprieties in the proceedings or the law. And even when new evidence negates the scenario presented by the prosecution, courts don't like to reopen cases lest it lead to a flood of trivial challenges by others who still proclaim innocence.
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That is so true - take the case of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter back in 1966 in Paterson, NJ. I wrote about this elsewhere on this site, Carter and his friend, John Artis, were convicted of entering a tavern at 2:30 a.m. and shooting several people. Carter spent 19 years in prison before he was freed, he and Artis had lost appeals and were re-convicted on a new trial. Based on incorrect procedures in the original trial, Carter was finally freed.
And when I visited the tavern myself I did not feel either one of them had ever been there, it was two other men.
Of course, the opposite is also true - Casey Anthony was acquitted in 2011 of murdering her child in Florida, but 'acquitted' does not mean 'innocent', only that there is not enough evidence to erase reasonable doubt. And after that acquittal, new evidence appeared - however, the person cannot be retried after acquittal. But that's all I'll say about her.
 
ramonmercado said:
A previous DA had refused to allow a DNA test in 2000.

A US man who spent nearly four decades in prison for murder has been released after new DNA evidence pointed to a different person.

Maurice Hastings served more than 38 years in state prison for the 1983 murder of Roberta Wydermyer in California and two attempted murders. But new DNA evidence instead pointed to another man who died in prison in 2020.
Now 69, Mr Hastings has been released from prison after his 1988 conviction was vacated on 20 October.

LA County District Attorney George Gascón described his conviction as a "terrible injustice".

"The justice system is not perfect, and when we learn of new evidence which causes us to lose confidence in a conviction, it is our obligation to act swiftly," he added in a statement.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63437208
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It's quite common actually. It's terrible that circumstantial evidence and the wrong defense attorney, along with a half-hearted jury, can put an innocent person in prison for years.
Thank goodness for DNA.
 
Ronnie Jersey said:
It's quite common actually. It's terrible that circumstantial evidence and the wrong defense attorney, along with a half-hearted jury, can put an innocent person in prison for years.
Thank goodness for DNA.
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Although, there is the possibility that a villain could plant somebody's DNA at the scene of a crime...
 
Mythopoeika said:
Although, there is the possibility that a villain could plant somebody's DNA at the scene of a crime...
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True, but when the DNA is from a known person unconnected to the accused, or comes from a variety of sources at the crime scene, that seems less likely. Furthermore, if the DNA is from a person known to commit such crimes, and if the accused person's DNA is not where one would expect it, that essentially clinches reasonable doubt.
 
Ronnie Jersey said:
It's quite common actually. It's terrible that circumstantial evidence and the wrong defense attorney, along with a half-hearted jury, can put an innocent person in prison for years.
Thank goodness for DNA.
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Could you please clarify for our UK friends what "common" means to you? 1 out of 10, 1 out of 100, 1 out of 1000, etc.? There is a cadre, thankfully small, here who criticize the US on a regular basis. Sometimes it is even fact-based.

I think wrongful convictions happen in the US, and even 1 time is too many, but I do not think it is common. It is more frequent among minorities of any kind (race, religion), mentally ill, and the poor. My personal guess - based on no hard data at all - is that the wrongful conviction rate is about 2 per 1000, and that it is mostly blacks (young and men) who suffer.

Estimates on the low side: 0.01% - 0.06%
https://dc.law.utah.edu/scholarship/138/

Estimates on the high side: 2% - 10%
https://thehighcourt.co/wrongful-convictions-statistics/

I think estimating wrongful conviction projections, meaning that these cases have not yet been proven, is extremely difficult.

On a not entirely irrelevant, personal note: I have known eight career criminals in the US. The four who were convicted, after serving their time, protested that it was unfair for them to be convicted, and then promptly returned to their career ways. The four who were not caught argued that what they did was not wrong. Drug dealing, fraud, theft, conspiracy to dispose of stolen property.
 
Don't know if this has already been posted, but I read it on Quora recently and thought it was very clever and surprisingly perceptive.
A bit long I know, but worth sticking with.
It's the work of a freelance US writer called Brendan Whitson.

What if World War 2 was a bar fight?

An unassuming, relatively kind man has been sitting alone at the bar…His name is Poland and he is a regular here.
China and Korea (also regulars) are sitting at a table. They usually just hangout and keep to themselves. One is enjoying a rum and coke. The other, a red-bull vodka (respectively).
Every once in a while Poland runs into his buddies Britain and France, but neither are here at the moment. Poland being Poland, contents himself with a drink or three, wondering if his friends might show.
Japan heard that China and Korea were at the bar though. Japan figured he would show up and give them a hard time. Japan has a Napoleon Complex. He is sort of a maverick.
Italy goes to the same exact bar with his friend Germany. It’s the usual rabble. When they get there, Italy runs straight to the radio to pick a song. Germany slugs the beer as quickly as Switzerland the bartender provides them.
The USSR meets Germany at the bar. They usually hate each other, but fuck that guy Poland, just sitting there acting all innocent... They secretly agree to jump Poland when he decides to go take a piss.
Lest we forget Japan who just ripped a few shots of Sake. He is feeling nice.
Silently, Japan strikes!
He karate chops Korea and China at the point where neck meets shoulder...
This renders both men unconscious before they, or anyone else, even realizes that it happened.
Japan gives them a couple more whacks for good measure, steals their money, and doesn’t even leave enough coin to cover China and Korea’s tab… acting like any/all of this is perfectly acceptable...
Nobody else seems to care, which is absurd.
Italy walks over to Germany and grabs a seat.
While Italy was fiddling with the radio station, Germany got him a beer, even though he knows Italy prefers wine.
Italy dutifully drinks the beer.
Germany hopes beer will make Italy tougher.
Poland finally gets up to go take a piss!
Germany and The USSR quickly follow him.
While Poland is facing the wall urinal, relieving himself. Germany charges in and punches Poland from the left, and The USSR punches Poland from the right.
They totally catch him with his pants down.
Poland is knocked out cold and he might have serious brain damage.
Germany and The USSR agree to divide up Poland’s valuables, his watch, the cash in his wallet, even the ring on his finger.
As Germany and The USSR exit the bathroom France and Britain walk into the bar.
France is jacked, but his muscles are mostly for show. He is even more muscular than The USSR.
Britain is smart and he knows it. He knows his friends are less likely to get in trouble if he goes with them. They were supposed to meet Poland but they were not known for their timeliness.
Oh well, sorry Poland.
They go to the bar to grab a drink.
Germany and The USSR walk by France and Britain. It is fairly awkward because two of these guys do not get along well.
Germany says something about France’s mom.
France fires back and says something about Germany’s sister.
They get up in each other’s face. Most of the shit talking is incoherent. Their accents are thick, and they insist on talking over one another while pointing in random directions.
Britain just asks everyone to calm down and make some concessions. He wants to appease everyone, and wants to talk this out.
The USSR does not really want any part in the argument and walks away. He just keeps walking back to his seat. He just saw Finland walk in and he fucking hates Finland (because Finland exists).
With a glass of wine now in hand, Italy shouts encouragement to Germany over Italy’s shoulder. That's what it sounded like at least. Italy is standing over near the radio again turning knobs. He’s searching for a radio station to listen in on a football match.
The USSR decides now is his chance to pick on little Finland. He fucking hates Finland for simply existing, and everyone else seems distracted at the moment.
He walks right over to Finland (who is sitting down drinking a brewski).
Finland gives The USSR more than he bargained for though.
While sitting down drinking a beer mind you, Finland kicks The USSR in the knee really fucking hard. The USSR lunges for him but “Fin” slides under the table and pops out on the other side.
Finland then finishes his beer and gives The USSR the middle finger.
The USSR looks like a bitch in front of his tough German friend.
Boom! Just across the bar Germany punches France straight in the gut, where he least expected. No one saw it coming. France goes down faster than anyone would have thought. Then Germany swings at Britain, but Britain dodges it and ducks out of the bar.
Britain is thinking to himself, ’holy cannoli that escalated rather quickly I dare say.’
He needs to regroup and gather his wits about him.
France is somehow already down and out for the count.
Germany rallies a few more of the Central Europeans sitting at some tables around the bar. They include Austria, Romania, and Hungary to name a few.
They join in because they want Germany to like them, and they do not want him to knock them out like he did to France. A few saw what happened to Poland and they told everybody else.
They’re a bunch of kiss-asses.
That cocky American has been drinking at the bar with his good pal The Philippines.
These two always go for the cheaper beer so they can drink them in quantity. They are trying to ignore most of this seemingly petty nonsense but the booze are getting the best of them.
It seems like Switzerland the bartender is fine with letting them drink to their hearts content.
Germany gathers his new friends. They happen over to the bar to grab more beers from Switzerland the bartender as well.
But “guess who’s back… back again?”
No it’s not Slim Shady, it’s Great Britain!
Britain rolls through. He gathered his wits, and he’s back for a good scrap. Britain shouts for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and America to come over to his side of the bar and help a brother out.
To Britain’s credit, he was willing to stand alone either way.
“Bully!”
America decides to go drink a beer with his buddies because fuck bullies.
America and Germany are uncomfortably close to each other now.
It’s actually rather awkward… America wants to help France, China, and Korea get back up, but Germany is not about to let that happen.
Japan feels like America needs to mind his own business and go back to his spot on the other side of the bar.
Suddenly, and without warning, Germany grabs a bowl of bar nuts and starts throwing them at Britain.
Britain starts throwing bar nuts back at Germany…
Honestly, at this point they are throwing any small to medium sized objects that they can get their hands on. Few projectiles actually hit their intended targets!
Switzerland is beside himself.
America wants to go back to his seat at the moment and enjoy his beer/s away from the ruckus and hubbub. He makes a point to give Britain an extra bowl of his fresh popcorn on the way though.
Germany notices this! He wants fresh popcorn too! What's America’s deal!?
Germany throws bar nuts at America and pretends it wasn't him…
Luckily, America gets back to his seat. His seat is pretty far away from Germany, so he knows he is safe for now (safe from Germany’s beer nuts at least).
Canada to his credit, endures further onslaught afield.
However, Germany’s supply of beer nuts are dwindling, and without them, he will struggle to regain the initiative!
Consequently, Germany has been contemplating the fact that The USSR has something like half of Poland’s stuff...
Germany wants ALL of Poland’s stuff (Poland had some nice stuff). He also noticed that The USSR has a slight limp now. Finland might have shown The USSR to be weaker than Germany first thought…
Could this be the opportune moment to strike?
Germany feels confident he can take on The USSR now. The USSR even sees Germany coming from across the bar and does absolutely nothing about it. He does not think Germany “has the balls.”
Nonetheless, Germany full hand bitch slaps the Soviet straight across the face, followed by a strong knee to the testicles (with surprisingly little resistance).
The USSR takes a knee, holding his genitals.
Japan runs over to Germany and says “nice one man.” Japan fucking hates The USSR more than anyone else, except maybe Finland.
Japan high fives Germany and pretty soon they are standing back to back. This is a new friendship because they used to fight each other.
It will have to do.
America, Australia, and the boys (finally) decide it’s time to help China and Korea.
Their friend The Philippines could use some help too, now that you mention it.
Basically anyone with arm’s reach of Japan has taken a few whacks.
Consequently, America tries convincing Switzerland the bartender to stop serving Japan and Germany any alcohol.
The majority of the bar is in agreement, and their supplies of alcohol begin to dwindle down to precarious levels. Switzerland is no longer inclined to replenish their stocks.
Japan and Germany are definitely going to need more alcohol (and bar nuts).
America turns to point and yell at Japan, but SMASH!!
Japan cracks a bottle across the back of America’s head then lunges after The Philippines.
“Who is America to tell anyone else how much they can have to drink!? Who said Budweiser is the ‘King’ of Beers!?”
America stumbles. The Philippines gets thoroughly pummeled in retaliation.
Germany basically refuses to realize he might be screwed now. He picked a fight with half the bar, and that is probably not exaggeration. His friends include some Central Europeans, Japan…who just took a cheap shot at America and The Philippines.
And Italy… who abruptly tries to stand and put up a fight for a change, mumbles something incoherent, only to fall face first into a table.
It would seem the table dealt more damage to Italy than Italy dealt to the table.
Take note, Italy probably should not have mixed beer and wine. He is thoroughly passed out.
You could blame Germany for that, but Italy is responsible for his own decisions.
Everyone else goes back to their altercations. Italy is left alone... but Germany’s rear is now exposed as a consequence.
Japan has his hands full fighting America who is “wicked pissed off,” and sobering up.
He figures Japan has been a real pickle, and America is going to light Japan up if he can. Japan always puts up a good fight, but he is smaller than America.
Meanwhile, The USSR finds his footing again. He gets back up, albeit slowly. He wants to confront both Germany, and Finland. The USSR is still feeling those last hits though and has to take it slow. His balls still hurt, but the fact that he is still in the fight is a commendable feat unto itself.
Germany has to focus on The USSR now. He sees the look on the guys face, realizing that he really pissed The USSR off…
…Germany should have thought this through more thoroughly.
Shit.
Germany is trying to figure out how to best deal with The USSR. One would assume that after getting full-hand bitch slapped in the face, and kneed in the testicles, The USSR would have given up (most others would have).
Italy is still laying face down, knocked out cold, and unable to provide support in any meaningful capacity. He is unresponsive, but is clearly alive as evidenced by his rising and falling chest (indicative that Italy is in fact still breathing). Again this was largely self-inflicted.
Meanwhile, France tries to sit back up and Germany does not like this, not one bit. His attention is now divided.
America, Britain, Canada and company go over to France to help him to his feet, briefly tripping over Italy along the way.
As the Allies get close, Germany and his friends throw what few projectiles they have left. It’s a mess.
Luckily, no one has a nut allergy.
The popcorn leaves stains on everyone’s trousers though.
After running out of said projectiles, Germany attempts to kick France while he is still down. He’s a sore sport.
America, Britain, and Canada are determined to help France tho.
“Don’t make us come over there.”
Germany just stands there and taunts them with his schnitzel, calling their bluff.
So… America, Britain and Canada go over there.
Germany is now officially fucked. He should not have waved his schnitzel around like that.
France begins to get back up. And with the help of his friends, a tenuous grip on the counter, and some much needed wine, France rises to his feet.
France is wobbly but he should be alright if he has some time to get his bearings and resuscitate his pride.
Japan would go back up Germany, but he is on the other side of the bar dealing with his own problems, which are compounding.
America is a tough opponent by himself, but now he’s linked up with his home boys Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada, and The Philippines.
Japan steadily loses ground, but viciously, savagely defends every inch.
The USSR and Germany are duking it out now. Every once in a while, Germany manages a nice counter blow, yet this does nothing to stop The USSR.
It’s a truly epic fight of historical proportions. But, Germany has overextended himself… once again. He should’ve learned his lesson from Napoleon a century prior. You don’t attack Russia, especially in winter, unless you’re stupid and/or have a death wish.
Germany’s energy is running dangerously low, he is overextended, and things are rapidly getting worse.
It is clear that Germany will lose, it’s only a matter of time. Determined to fight to the bitter end, he has two options; Keep getting his ass beat, or surrender. Most would quit by now, but not Germany.
Against all sensibility, Germany opts to get his ass kicked for a bit longer, but he finally falls to the combined force of the Allies after a few last-ditch haymakers for good measure.
From the looks of it Britain, France, America, and The USSR literally had to beat the Nazi out of him.
A new world definition to hanged-drawn-quartered.
However, they were too late to save the roughly 7-12 million innocent people (give or take) that Germany had exterminated… The numbers vary. Either way, it’s really fucked up.
Suffice to say, Germany is kaput…
America and the boys still have their hands full with Japan though. Japan has put up a good fight, but he is steadily losing ground.
America is now determined to finish the fight at all cost, but Japan has no intention to surrender.
After repeated warnings (and pamphlets tossed about the establishment), America connects one… and then two haymakers with the chin of Japan. Both landed in quick succession. Japan gets rocked, and the aftermath is just as bad. The guy loses several teeth and bites clean through his tongue. He is concussed, bleeding, and clearly traumatized from the attacks.
An eerie, weird silence then ensues.
Japan knows that The USSR fought with America, Britain and their pals to beat up Germany and his friends. Japan also saw what happened to Poland.
Soon The USSR would come after Japan too.
Japan, tempted by Seppuku, wisely chooses to surrender to America instead.
It was a previously unthinkable act.
Everybody is stunned…
Everybody except Italy, who is somehow upright and drinking again… a warrior in his own right.
Much of the bar is once again destroyed, bodies lay strewn about, but the fight is finally over.
Hopefully nothing like this ever happens again, but humans are notoriously stupid and forgetful so who knows....
 
...The USSR decides now is his chance to pick on little Finland. He fucking hates Finland for simply existing, and everyone else seems distracted at the moment.
He walks right over to Finland (who is sitting down drinking a brewski).
Finland gives The USSR more than he bargained for though.
While sitting down drinking a beer mind you, Finland kicks The USSR in the knee really fucking hard. The USSR lunges for him but “Fin” slides under the table and pops out on the other side.
Finland then finishes his beer and gives The USSR the middle finger.
The USSR looks like a bitch in front of his tough German friend...
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In his book The Winter War, William R Trotter describes Finnish soldiers discovering that if you ran across the flame from a Russian flamethrower tanks fast enough you could pass through it without getting badly hurt.

You definitely want them on your side in a fight.
 
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I don't know if we have a 'miscarriage of justice' topic - if we have search doesn't find it. i've always had an interest in historic unsolved murder cases since reading about JTR at an impressionable age. This one infuriates me:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jane_Clouson

I mean, the poor girl named her attacker. Money and justice don't mix.
 
Actually, while I'm on the theme, this is another one:

http://www.unsolved-murders.co.uk/murder-content.php?key=666&termRef=Evelyn Foster

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Foster

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/who-killed-evelyn-foster-author-13098729

Never properly investigated because the then Northumbrian Chief Constable was a misogynist who resented women taking jobs he thought should be reserved for men.

Recommend this book on the subject:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Wolfs-Nick-Killing-Evelyn/dp/1907324674
 
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Spookdaddy said:
In his book The Winter War, William R Trotter describes Finnish soldiers discovering that if you ran across the flame from a Russian flamethrower tanks fast enough you could pass through it without getting badly hurt.

You definitely want them on your side in a fight.
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I had the great good luck to work with a couple of Finns in the 1990's and formed much the same opinion.
 
Been reading another one of Diane Janes books, More brilliant debunking of nonsense and entrenched attitudes. this time of the Seal chart murder and the Railway murder and alleged links between.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwardian-Murder-Janes/dp/0752449451

I think I'm becoming a fan. I'm not on a commission or anything, just recommended to those with an interest in 'classic' real life murder mysteries
 
ChasFink said:
One of the most annoying aspects of the U.S. justice system - and I suspect it's the case elsewhere - is that once someone is convicted the presumption of innocence disappears.
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That's the point of there being a conviction. Once a defendant has been found guilty, the presumption of innocence of that crime is over for that person.
 
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