page_title: Edward Marshall Hall
section_title: Camden Town Murder
hierarchical_section_title: Edward Marshall Hall / Camden Town Murder
caption_attribution_description: English: English barrister en:Edward Marshall Hall
context_page_description: Sir Edward Marshall Hall, KC was an English barrister who had a formidable reputation as an orator. He successfully defended many people accused of notorious murders and became known as "The Great Defender".
  Marshall Hall practised as a barrister in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, when the public took a great interest in the sensational court cases of the day. Big criminal and civil trials were widely reported on by the popular press on a daily basis. As a consequence, he and other successful barristers of the day became very famous. The widespread belief that he was a much better orator than lawyer may explain his failure to achieve elevation to the High Court, which was a source of great disappointment to him.
context_section_description: In November 1907 Marshall Hall was briefed in a case which contributed significantly towards his being painted with such titles as "The Great Defender". On 12 September 1907, Bertram Shaw returned home during the evening to find his room locked. He borrowed a key from a neighbour, but upon entering was greeted with the horrific sight of his fiancée Emily Dimmock (known as Phyllis) lying naked on the bed, throat cut from ear to ear. It was a savage but skilful attack on her from the nature of the wound. Nothing much had been taken from the flat, and the motive was a mystery; the case quickly became a sensation.
  After initial difficulty the police investigation led by Inspector Neill centred on a Robert Wood. Wood was in a relationship with Ruby Young, who recognised his handwriting on a postcard found in Dimmock's room. Wood was put on trial for the murder, during which Marshall Hall displayed the kind of effective and dramatic cross examination that he was known for. Marshall Hall was convinced of Wood's innocence, and also of the fallibility of the prosecution case. Great progress was made with the prosecution witnesses, but real consideration was given to the issue of whether Wood should give evidence in his defence by Marshall Hall and his junior Wellesley Orr. The relevance of their dissension over his testifying soon became apparent as Wood was a bad witness.
  Marshall Hall dramatically commenced his examination in chief with: "Robert Wood, did you kill Emily Dimmock?" Wood remained silent. He was said to be a vain young man who could not cast aside his affectations; he appeared a "poseur". Marshall Hall repeated the question; "You must answer straight," he said. Foolishly Wood answered, "I mean, it is ridiculous," leaving Marshall Hall distressed. The rest of Wood's evidence proceeded in this way. He was later cross-examined by the might of the senior Treasury Counsel, Sir Charles Mathews, a mismatch if ever there was one. But in the end, Wood's silly little boy foolishness perhaps played in his favour; could he really have murdered Emily Dimmock?
  Marshall Hall addressed the jury in usual style, as did Sir Charles Mathews. Mr Justice Grantham, however, mid-summing up departed from the pro-conviction stance he was expected to take, making it clear he thought the jury should acquit. That they did, after retiring for only 15 minutes between 7.45 and 8pm.
  Marshall Hall's spirited defence had persuaded almost all in court of Wood's innocence and had caused a huge crowd to gather outside of court. The huge cheer that went up in the courtroom was repeated outside. Marshall Hall had saved Wood from the gallows.
caption: Robed, c. 1900
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