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The Case of Oscar Slater (Collected Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The Case of Oscar Slater - Collected Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Author:Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Oscar Slater was a victim of a miscarriage of justice. Arthur Conan Doyle heard about the case and, in 1912, published this book as a plea for a full pardon for Slater. (120 pages). — Excerpts: — .....It is impossible to read and weigh the facts in connection with the conviction of Oscar Slater in May, 1909, at the High Court in Edinburgh, without... more » feeling deeply dissatisfied with the proceedings, and morally certain that justice was not done. Under the circumstances of Scotch law I am not clear how far any remedy exists, but it will, in my opinion, be a serious scandal if the man be allowed upon such evidence to spend his life in a convict prison. The verdict which led to his condemnation to death, was given by a jury of fifteen, who voted; Nine for "Guilty," five for "Non-proven," and one for "Not Guilty." Under English law, this division of opinion would naturally have given cause for a new trial. In Scotland the man was condemned to death, he was only reprieved two days before his execution, and he is now working out a life sentence in Peterhead convict establishment. How far the verdict was a just one, the reader may judge for himself.......
.....This is a condensation of a very interesting and searching piece of the cross-examination which reveals several things. One is Lambie's qualities as a witness. Another is the very curious picture of the old lady, the book-maker and the servant-maid all at dinner together. The last and most important is the fact, that a knowledge of the jewels had got out.« less