Arsenic, Adultery, and an American on Trial
Summary
This episode examines the 1889 trial of Florence Maybrick, an American socialite convicted of murdering her husband in Victorian England. Host Sally Helm and guest Rick Hutto discuss how class divides and gender norms influenced the verdict, leading to Maybrick’s death sentence. Her case sparked public outcry that eventually helped establish the UK’s Court of Criminal Appeal.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Alma EHR and Blinds.com
Introduction: The 1889 trial of Florence Maybrick
Florence's marriage to James Maybrick and his arsenic addiction
The affair, the racetrack incident, and James' death
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Sponsors: Money Moves and Rho weight loss
Michael Maybrick's intervention and Florence's arrest
The trial, Judge Stephen's bias, and the death sentence
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Public outcry, commutation to life, and eventual release
The Jack the Ripper diary theory and James Maybrick
Outro, credits, and final sponsors
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