Edward Marshall-Hall

Sir Edward Marshall-Hall, KC, (Brighton, 16 September 1858 – 24 February 1927) 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".

Green bicycle murder

One of his most famous cases was "R v Light", known as the Green Bicycle Murder, which took place in Leicester in 1919. He obtained an acquittal, despite what seemed like overwhelming circumstantial evidence against the defendant. This evidence included: the fact that the defendant (Ronald Light) had been seen cycling with the victim (Bella Wright) on the day of her death, on a green bicycle; had possessed at one time a revolver similar to the one used to fire the shot that killed her; had discarded that green bicycle in the canal, after filing off all of the identifying numbers; and had thrown away a holster and ammunition for the type of revolver used in the murder. He also lied to police. A full transcript of the evidence and submissions of counsel do not appear to have survived, but from what remains of the closing speech of Sir Edward, he took advantage of the Crown's lack of a case-theory to take their case to its logical conclusion and then demolish it. He submitted that prosecution case only held together if the entire murder was premeditated. It was the prosecution evidence, indeed the hearsay evidence of the dead victim, that Ronald Light was not known to Bella Wright. How could he then have planned her murder? Sir Edward used this, and many other points to persuade the jury that they could not be sure that Light was the murderer. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty after a little over three hours.

Other cases

Marshall-Hall was also given the brief to represent Dr Crippen at his trial in 1910. However, Crippen provided instructions that Marshall-Hall did not feel comfortable with; Crippen would not adopt the line of defence that Marshall-Hall felt represented the truth of the matter. As a result, Marshall-Hall returned the brief and other counsel appeared at Crippen's trial at the Old Bailey. Arthur Newton instructed Marshall-Hall on this occasion as he often did.

Career

As well as being elevated to King's Counsel, Marshall-Hall entered Parliament as a Unionist Member of Parliament for Southport (1900 - 1906).

Media

Marshall-Hall's career was dramatised in an 8-episode 1989 BBC Two television serial by Richard Cooper, "Shadow of the Noose", starring Jonathan Hyde in the lead role and Terry Taplin as Arthur Newton, the leading solicitor who often secured Marshall-Hall's services. John Mortimer, creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, presented many of Marshall-Hall's cases in a 1996 radio series, starring ex-"Doctor Who" star Tom Baker.

Trivia

Edward Marshall-Hall was born and lived at 30 Old Steine, Brighton where there is a commemorative stone plaque on the wall. The building today houses one of Brighton's oldest established firms of solicitors; Burt Brill and Cardens and remains largely unchanged externally and internally.

The Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company has named a bus after him [ [http://www.buses.co.uk/history/fleethist/871em.htm Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Travel Times Routes and Timetables ] at www.buses.co.uk] (see list of Brighton and Hove buses named after famous people).

External links

* [http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/person.asp?LinkID=mp01981 Images of Sir Edward Marshall Hall]

References

* Edward Marjoribanks, "The Life of Sir Edward Marshall Hall", Victor Gollancz Ltd, London 1929.

* Edward Marjoribanks, "Trials of Marshall Hall", Penguin, 1989. ISBN 0140115560