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Whispers from Gun Alley: False Prophecy

Madame Ghurka was a prominent and mysterious figure in early to mid-20th-century Melbourne. A medium by trade, she gained notoriety not only for her fortune-telling and palm reading but also for her controversial involvement in one of Melbourne’s most infamous miscarriages of justice—the wrongful conviction of Colin Ross.

Aside from the police, Madame Ghurka was arguably the most influential figure in bringing about Ross’s conviction for the 1921 murder of 12-year-old Alma Tirtschke in what became known as the Gun Alley Tragedy.

Possibly driven by a personal feud with Ross, Madame Ghurka was the first to name him as a suspect in the murder. She later went further, reportedly orchestrating the coming forward of key witnesses whose testimonies proved critical in securing his conviction.

Among them was a former employee of Ross – recently dismissed – who claimed Ross had privately confessed the murder to her. Several other witnesses of dubious character also took the stand to deliver testimony that sealed Ross’s fate and secured their share of reward money for a successful conviction.

Desperate to save him, Ross’s family managed to track down the key witness the day before his execution. She reportedly agreed to recant her story and admit the confession was fabricated—but she never appeared the next morning.

The family’s last minute appeals to the Attorney-General fell on deaf ears with one high ranking official later stating, “Your son had to die Mrs Ross. Had he lived the prestige of the police force would have been shattered”.

It would only be a short while after Colin Ross’s execution that doubt began to grow about the legitimacy of the case. Nearly a century later, in 2008, he was posthumously pardoned—which falls short of an exoneration, and leaves the guilty verdict intact.

As for Madame Ghurka, she briefly continued to dabble in criminal investigations, inserting her “psychic” talents into murder cases that drew public attention, with her notoriety destined to linger to her last days.

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On This Day in True Crime History – 15th February

by Davros Dark

On this day in True Crime History, we revisit the 15th February.

1564: 🌌 Birth of the Heretic Galileo, aka the Father of Science

On this day in 1564, Italian scientist and astronomer Galileo Galilei was born.

Galileo Galilei would be found guilty of heresy by the Roman Catholic Inquisition in 1633. His support for the heliocentric theory, which posited that the Earth and other planets orbit the Sun, directly contradicted the Church’s geocentric view that placed the Earth at the centre of the universe.

Despite Galileo’s efforts to argue that his findings did not conflict with Scripture, the Inquisition ruled that he had violated a 1616 edict that forbade holding, teaching, or defending the heliocentric theory.

As a result, Galileo was forced to recant his views and spent the remaining years of his life under house arrest.

In the 18th century Galileo’s middle finger was removed from his corpse and is now currently on display in the Museo Galileo in Florence, Italy. 🌠🔭📚

1796: 🌳 The Death of John Black Caesar Australia’s First Bushranger

On this day in 1796, John Black Caesar, also known as Australia’s first bushranger and a figure from Australia’s early convict history, met his end.

Born around 1763, possibly in Madagascar, Caesar’s journey took him from servant in England, to being transported to Botany Bay for theft to notorious bushranger in the colony of New South Wales.

Despite being recognized for his diligence, Caesar’s insatiable appetite led him down a path of repeated theft, resulting in additional sentences and escapes into the bush, where he attempted to live off the land. His repeated efforts to sustain himself outside the confines of the penal colony saw him clashing with local Aboriginal groups and the colonial authorities.

His final escape in December 17-95, leading a gang of absconders, solidified his reputation as Australia’s first bushranger. The pursuit for his capture ended tragically when he was shot to death, but by this time, his legacy in Australian history had been secured.

1872: ⚖️Execution of the Outlaws Charcoal and Tommy

On this day in 1872, Charcoal and Tommy, were executed for the murder of Samuel Lazenby during a pearl fishing expedition in Port Walcott, Western Australia.

This excursion took a strange turn when Lazenby failed to return from the expedition, with his disappearance cloaked in betrayal and violence. The subsequent investigation resulted in the discovery of Lazenby’s body – partially buried and identifiable by peculiarities in his jaw and the clothing he was last seen wearing.

Captured and subjected to trial, Charcoal and Tommy faced overwhelming evidence against them. Witness testimonies, coupled with the recovery of Lazenby’s belongings and fragments of his boat in their possession, painted a damning picture. Despite their pleas of innocence, the jury delivered a swift and unanimous guilty verdict. 🎣⚖️🕵️‍♂️

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On This Day in True Crime History – 8th February

by Davros Dark

On this day in True Crime History, we revisit the 8th February.

1587: ⚔️ The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, for Suspected Conspiracy

On this day in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots, a figure entwined in political intrigue and dynastic struggles, was executed. Born in 1542, she became queen of Scotland at just six days old after her father’s death.

Her early life was marked by a brief betrothal to the English Prince Edward, a move that sparked conflict due to religious differences. She was instead sent to France, where she married Francis II, becoming queen consort of France at 16. Widowed at 18, she returned to Scotland, a realm divided by religious strife.

Mary’s reign in Scotland was turbulent, characterized by her marriage to her cousin Lord Darnley, whose murder and her subsequent marriage to the prime suspect, the Earl of Bothwell, led to widespread scandal and her forced abdication in favor of her infant son, James VI of Scotland (later James I of England).

Fleeing to England for protection, she became a prisoner of her cousin, Elizabeth I, due to her strong Catholic claim to the English throne. After 19 years of captivity she was caught in conspiracy to murder Queen Elizabeth, leading to her demise, leaving a legacy of martyrdom for her Catholic supporters.

Her execution was infamously botched and took three blows of the axe to complete the job. ⚖️👑📜

1792: 🍞 James Collington’s Execution for Bakery Burglary

On this day in 1792, James Collington met a grim end, hanged for the theft of bread and flour from the hut of John Campbell, a laborer who provided baking services to the public, as well as a check apron belonging to Susanah Bray, who resided in the same dwelling.

At the hanging tree he addressed the convicts, warning them to avoid the path he had pursued; but said, that he was induced by hunger to commit the crime for which he suffered. He appeared desirous of death, declaring that he knew he could not live without stealing.

This severe punishment for seemingly petty theft was considered necessary as a means for keeping law and order intact owing to the near starvation rations that existed in the colony at this time. 🏚️⚖️💔

1799: 🚨 James Reece’s Desperate Final Act Before Execution

On this day in 1799, James Reece was hanged for a crime involving a sow, which was a capital offence under the severe moral and legal codes of the time.

Reece’s case was particularly notable not only for the nature of the crime but also for his actions on the day of his execution. Having previously been granted a reprieve at the gallows, Reece made a desperate attempt to escape his fate by attempting to cut his own throat on the morning he was to be executed.

The attempt was not fatal and was likely an attempt to buy more time in order to plan an escape attempt rather than a genuine desire for death.

1879: 🏦 Ned Kelly’s Daring Raid on Jerilderie

On this day in 1879, the notorious Ned Kelly and his gang executed one of their most audacious heists, targeting the small town of Jerilderie.

In a display of cunning and boldness, they captured two police officers, securing them in their own cells, before proceeding to rob the local bank. This event not only showcased the gang’s expert planning and brazenness but also highlighted Kelly’s complex relationship with authority and his sense of social justice.

His declaration, “I am a widow’s son outlawed and my orders must be obeyed,” underscored his defiance and the desperate resolve of a man cornered by circumstances.

The raid culminated in the drafting of The Jerilderie Letter, an outlaw’s manifesto that served as a poignant narrative of Kelly’s grievances against the police and the judicial system, sealing his legacy as one of Australia’s most emblematic and polarizing figures. 📜🔒💰

1950: 🕵️‍♂️ The Founding of the Stasi in East Germany

On this day in 1950, East Germany saw the establishment of the Stasi, or “Staatssicherheit,” marking the inception of one of the most repressive and feared secret police agencies in the world.

The Stasi was notorious for its extensive surveillance and espionage activities, both within East Germany and abroad, aimed at suppressing dissent and controlling every aspect of citizens’ lives. Its methods included informants, wiretapping, and extensive personal surveillance, creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust among the population.

The agency’s vast network and ruthless tactics made it a symbol of the oppressive nature of East German communist rule. The Stasi was dissolved in 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent reunification of Germany, but its legacy remains a chilling reminder of the dark side of surveillance and state control. 🔍💔

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On This Day in True Crime History – 7th December

by Davros Dark

On this day in True Crime History, December 7th has witnessed a series of startling and somber events throughout history, marking it as a day of infamy in the annals of true crime. From notorious bank heists by legendary outlaws to chilling abductions that captivated nations, let us delve into the next batch of dark and complex tales from criminal history.

0043 BC: 📜 The Famous Roman Orator Cicero Assassinated

On this day in 43 BC, Cicero, one of the most celebrated figures in Roman history and renowned for his eloquence and oratory skills, met a tragic end. He was assassinated on the orders of Marcus Antonius, marking the conclusion of a turbulent chapter in Rome’s political landscape.

Cicero’s last months were marked by his reentry into politics, advocating for a general amnesty and attempting to use Octavian (the future emperor Augustus) as a political tool. He vehemently opposed Mark Antony’s control over Rome following Julius Caesar’s assassination.

Octavian learned of one of Cicero’s unfortunate remarks that “the young man should be given praise, distinctions—and then be disposed of.” The formation of the Second Triumvirate in October sealed Cicero’s fate. He was captured and killed near Caieta on December 7, 43 BC, with his head and hands displayed on the speakers platform at the Forum in Rome. 🌟🗡️🏛️

1869: 🤠 Jesse James Infamous Bank Robbery and Revenge Killing

On this day in 1869, Jesse James, and very likely his brother Frank, perpetrated a notorious bank robbery at the Daviess County Savings Association in Gallatin, Missouri.

The target of their heist yielded only a modest sum of money. However, the robbery took a violent turn as Jesse James fatally shot the cashier, Captain John Sheets, in a case of mistaken identity.

Jesse believed Sheets to be Samuel P Cox, a militia officer responsible for the death of Bloody Bill Anderson, one of the most fearsome leaders of Confederate guerrillas in Civil War Missouri, who Jesse strove to emulate.

This bank robbery and daring ride out of town from a chasing posse catapulted Jesse James into notoriety, making him one of the most infamous outlaws of the Wild West. 🤠💰🔫

1972: 👠 Philippine First Lady Survives Bold Assassination Attempt

On this day in 1972, a brazen assassination attempt was made on Imelda Marcos, the First Lady of the Philippines 🌺.

An assailant, concealing a bolo knife in his left coat sleeve, made a sudden and violent lunge at Mrs Marcos, striking her twice. The attacker then went on a rampage, hacking at bystanders until he was fatally shot by security 🗡️🚑.

Imelda Marcos would go on to become better known for her extraordinary collection of 3000 thousand pairs of shoes, a stark contrast to her nation’s turmoil and an enduring symbol of her lavish lifestyle. 🥿👠

1982: 📅 The December Murders in Suriname

On this day in 1982, in Dutch-speaking Suriname, fifteen prominent young Surinamese men who had voiced criticism against the military dictatorship then ruling the country became victims of the event known as The December murders.

Thirteen individuals were forcibly taken from their homes during the early hours between 2 am and 5 am, according to accounts provided by their families. The remaining two victims already in detention due to their involvement in an attempted countercoup in March 1982.

Soldiers loyal to Dési Bouterse, who held dictatorial power in Suriname at the time, transported these individuals to a sham “trial” presided over by sergeants who had assumed the roles of judges. Following these dubious “hearings,” the victims endured brutal torture and were ultimately shot dead. The exact circumstances surrounding their deaths remain shrouded in ambiguity.

A few days later the country’s dictactor Bouterse made a national television announcement asserting that all detainees had been shot dead while purportedly attempting to flee.

The December Murders sparked international outrage, and many Surinamese civilians fled their homeland for the Netherlands in fear for their safety. 🕯️🌍

In November 2019, President Bouterse was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a military court. Bouterse, sentenced in absentia, filed an appeal which, in August 2021, which concluded in the sentence being upheld.

1982: 💉 First Lethal Injection Execution in the U.S

On this day in 1982, Charles Brooks Jr made history by becoming the first person in the United States to be executed by lethal injection 💉.

This execution in Texas marked a shift in the methods of capital punishment, introducing lethal injection as a supposedly more humane alternative.

The condemned man’s final meal before his execution included a t-bone steak, french fries with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, biscuits, peach cobbler, and iced tea 🥩🍟🍑🍹.

2003: 🚍 Tragic Abduction in Queensland

On this day in 2003, a heartbreaking incident shook Australia when Daniel Morcombe was abducted from under an overpass on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland while waiting for a bus. This case remained a mystery for many years, casting a shadow over the region and capturing national attention.

An extensive undercover operation led to the arrest of Brett Peter Cowan, who had been previously interviewed by police in 2006. He was charged after leading undercover detectives to Daniel’s remains in 2012, bringing a somber closure to the case. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

As we close the chapter on December 7th’s true crime history, let these historical events serve as solemn reminders of the past, guiding lights for the present, and cautionary tales for the future. Hope to see you on a Dark Stories True Crime Tour soon!