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On This Day in True Crime History – 19th October

Today we circle back to the challenges that have existed for 19th of October on This Day in True Crime History.

1216: 👑 The Mysterious End of King John: Poison and Betrayal? 🍐🍺

On this day in 1216, King John of England, notorious for the signing of the Magna Carta, met his end at Newark Castle. Rumours suggest that a monk from Swineshead Abbey, resentful of the demands placed upon the abbey by the King, poisoned either a batch of pears or a pot of ale. This act of vengeance supposedly sealed not only King John’s fate but also the monk’s own. 🤫📜

This Day in True Crime History

1973: 📼 Nixon’s Defiance in the Watergate Scandal 🏛🎙️

On this day in 1973, amidst the swirling controversy of the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon took a bold step 🚫 by rejecting an Appeals Court demand to release the infamous Watergate tapes 🎙️. These tapes, which held crucial evidence of conversations between Nixon and his aides, became the focal point of the investigation. Nixon’s refusal to release them intensified the crisis 🌪️ and risked putting himself in contempt of court. The event would eventually lead to Nixon’s resignation. ✍️

1982: 🌃 Mysterious Murder of Actress Christa Helm 🎬

On this day in 1982, Christa Helm, an aspiring actress and model, met a tragic end. Helm, best known for her roles in TV shows and her glamorous lifestyle, was found murdered in West Hollywood. The circumstances surrounding her death were shrouded in mystery, and rumours abounded about her supposed secret diaries detailing her relationships with various Hollywood elites. Despite investigations, her killer was never identified, leaving the murder of Christa Helm as one of Hollywood’s unsolved mysteries. 🎭🔍📖

1989: 🙌 Guildford Four’s Conviction Overturned 🏛️💥

On this day in 1989, the wrongful convictions of the Guildford Four were quashed by the British courts. Originally convicted in 1975 for their alleged involvement in the 1974 Guildford pub bombings, crucial evidence, which had been withheld during the original trial, came to light, including alibi evidence and original police interview notes that differed from the confessions presented in court. Moreover, the Balcombe Street Gang, an IRA unit, had admitted to the bombings whilst in custody, but this was initially dismissed by authorities. 🏛️🔍🇬🇧

2005: 🏛️ Saddam Hussein’s Trial Commences ⚖️🇮🇶

On this day in 2005, the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity began in Baghdad. The world watched with bated breath 🌍👀 as Hussein, who once held an iron grip 🤚 over Iraq, faced charges related to the mass killings of Shiite Muslims and Kurds. The proceedings were marked by intense debates and confrontations, shining a light on Iraq’s tumultuous history during his regime.

2006: 🩸 Inmate on Death Row’s Final Claim of Innocence 🚔

On this day in 2006, just before his scheduled execution, a death row inmate, Michael Johnson, used his own blood to write “I did not shoot him” on the walls of his cell. The message served as his final plea of innocence. When he was 19 years old, Johnson, alongside his friend, was involved in a fatal incident at a gas station. The friend later testified against Johnson in exchange for a reduced sentence, although this information was not disclosed to Johnson’s defence legal team. 🕊🔒

2018: 📰 Disappearance and Death of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi 🖋️🇸🇦

On this day in 2018, the world’s attention was captivated by the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist. Khashoggi, known for his critical writings on Saudi Arabia’s government, vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. As days passed, evidence mounted, suggesting he had been brutally murdered inside the consulate. Despite global outcry and demands for a thorough investigation, the exact circumstances and individuals responsible for his death remain subjects of contention and intrigue. 🌍🔍✒️

This Day in True Crime History

Hope to see you on a Dark Stories True Crime Tour soon.

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On This Day in True Crime History – 12th October

Today we rewind the clock to the 12th of October on This Day in True Crime History.

1609: 🎵 Hidden Horrors in Harmony: The Dark Tale Behind Three Blind Mice 🐁

On this day in 1609, London witnessed the publication of what seemed to be a simple nursery rhyme, “Three Blind Mice.” While it enchanted children with its catchy tune, some historians theorize that the “three blind mice” are believed to represent three Protestant bishops who conspired against Queen Mary I of England, infamously known as “Bloody Mary”. Their failed plot led to their conviction for treason and subsequent execution by being burned at the stake. The “farmer’s wife” cutting off their tails with a carving knife? None other than Queen Mary herself. 🎶🔥👑

1933: 🔒 From Island to Infamy: Alcatraz’s Transformation into America’s Most Dreaded Prison 🌊

On this day in 1933 Alcatraz Island, formerly a military fortification, underwent its most notorious transformation: it became a federal maximum-security prison designed to hold the nation’s most dangerous criminals. Alcatraz was the ultimate punishment – a remote, inescapable fortress where inmates faced a life of strict discipline amidst the chilling winds and unforgiving waves. Names like Al “Scarface” Capone and Robert “Birdman” Stroud would soon echo through its cells, cementing Alcatraz’s reputation in true crime lore. 🏢🦜🚔

1949: 🌍 Birth of a Mercenary – The Early Days of Carlos the Jackal 🔫

On this day in 1949, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez was born in Venezuela. He would later become infamously known to the world as Carlos the Jackal, responsible for a series of terrorist attacks and hostage takings across Europe during the 1970s and early 1980s. Raised by a devoutly Catholic mother and a Marxist father, his early introduction to communism set the stage for his future activities. 🌎✈️🕵️‍♂️🧨

This Day in True Crime History

1960: 📺 A Live Broadcast Turned Tragedy: The Assassination of Inejiro Asanuma 🗡️

On this day in 1960, televisions across Japan showed what would become one of the most shocking moments in the nation’s modern history. Inejiro Asanuma, leader of the Japan Socialist Party, was addressing a political gathering when a young nationalist named Otoya Yamaguchi rushed onto the stage and assassinated Asanuma with a samurai sword. The horrifying act was witnessed in real time by countless viewers. 🇯🇵🎥🚫

This Day in True Crime History

1984: 💥 Brighton’s Dark Day: The IRA’s Attempt on Thatcher 🏨

On this day in 1984, the serene coastal town of Brighton, England, became the epicentre of a chilling political assassination attempt aiming to eliminate British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet, who were staying there for the Conservative Party Conference. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) orchestrated a bomb attack at the Grand Hotel; nevertheless, the Prime Minister narrowly escaped, but the blast claimed the lives of five individuals and injured 31 others. 🇬🇧🔍🚑

1988: 🔍 Melbourne’s Unsolved Mystery: The Walsh Street Shootings 🚓

On this day in 1988, a tragic incident unfolded in South Yarra, Melbourne. Constables Steven Tynan, aged 22, and Damian Eyre, aged 20, members of the Victoria Police force, were ambushed and tragically killed during the early hours 🕰️. The Walsh Street police shootings sent shockwaves 🌊 through Melbourne, leading to an intense and prolonged investigation which to this day remains unsolved. 🔍

2002: 💥 Bali’s Night of Horror 💥🌴

On this day in 2002, Indonesia faced its deadliest act of terrorism. The Bali bombings resulted in the tragic loss of 202 lives, and among the casualties, 88 were Australians 🇦🇺. The bustling nightlife of Bali’s Kuta district was shattered when blasts from two bombs ripped through popular nightclubs. 🌌

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Meet The Actor – The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

The Secrets of Carmichael Manor is coming to Sydney on the 13th of October, and here we take the time to chat with the Actor, Director and Author of the show Kate Jirelle in our Meet The Actor Series.

Let’s turn our spotlights onto Kate and delve deeper into her and The Secrets of Carmichael Manor production.

Meet the Actor

About Kate

What do you enjoy most about acting?

What I most enjoy about acting is the ability it gives you to explore yourself and the world around you. Whenever I take on a new character, I learn so much about myself and what I’m capable of, but it also makes me consider other perspectives and other walks of life that I’ve never considered before.

Do you believe talent or training is more important to an actor?

I firmly believe it takes both, but I don’t think you need to get an acting degree necessarily. I never had the opportunity to attend a traditional drama school, but I have gained so much by training at places like Sydney Acting Studio, which offers regular and ongoing training with incredible teachers who always support, encourage, and challenge me to do my best. Whether you go to a traditional drama school or not, it’s essential to continuously work on your craft as an actor with people who inspire you and constantly push you to do your best work.

Which acting technique do you think is the best for you?

The foundation of my training has been the Meisner Technique, which is definitely the technique I would say is my foundation. However, as an actor, I’m constantly learning and always looking for new tools to add to the toolbox.

What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of being an actor?

To be an actor, you need to have a thick skin. When you become an actor, you hear “No” a lot more times than “Yes”, and it can be easy to let that get to you. However, I find that if you surround yourself with the right people who understand you, inspire you and can lift you up in the low times, it makes the more challenging times easier to navigate.

What is your favourite film or theatre production?

This changes for me almost daily, but I’m always a sucker for stories that can have me laughing one minute and crying the next. In terms of movies, Jo Jo Rabbit is definitely up there in the favourites list. In the category of plays, The Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell is also a firm favourite. Regarding TV, I’ve recently hopped onto the Ted Lasso bandwagon and am very much enjoying the ride. 

About The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

How did the writing of this show come about?

Having acted in several Dark Stories productions before, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance when I was asked to write one. All Dark Stories shows have a great tone that often mixes history, mystery and humour, which is an absolute ball to write. I also couldn’t resist the opportunity to write for such a great venue as Experiment Farm Cottage. You can’t help but be inspired when it comes to such a beautiful historical building.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

I like to describe this show as Doctor Who meets Knives Out. So, if you like either one of those, I think you’ll love The Secrets of Carmichael Manor.

Who should not come see this show?

People who aren’t prepared to be dragged into the action. No, really – this show is very interactive, and the audience very much becomes part of the show. But, if being involved in the story is your cup of tea, you will enjoy this show.

Who in the show is most like their character?

I must say it’s Ben Durham playing the role of Father Patrick. The instant he walked into the audition, we knew we’d found our Father Pat – and that was even before he started delivering the scene.

Who’s the least?

Definitely, Gary Leonard Belshaw, who plays the role of George Carmichael. I’ve known Gary for a while now, and he is genuinely one of the most kind-hearted and generous performers I’ve met. In comparison, George is a very boorish and ill-tempered character, and it always amazes me how well Gary manages to slip into that energy when it is the very opposite of who he is. Talk about great acting!

Kate Jirelle can be seen in The Secrets of Carmichael Manor, which only runs for two weekends, from the 13th to the 15th of October and the 20th to 22nd of October, in the historic space of Experiment Farm Cottage, in Parramatta.

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On This Day in True Crime History – 05th October

Today we rewind the clock to the 5th of October on This Day in True Crime History.

1582: The Day Pope Gregory XIII “Stole” 🕵️‍♂️ Ten Days from the World 🌍

In a bold move, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar, effectively “robbing” the world of ten days 📅➡️🗓. This change was to fix the quirks of the Julian calendar, which had been rolling since Julius Caesar set it up in 45 BCE ⏳. So, instead of chilling on October 5th 🍂, people in the adopting countries were suddenly fast-forwarded to October 15th 🚀, creating a calendar jump for the history books 📚✨.

1880: 🖊️ From Ink to Infamy: The Ball-Point Pen’s Unintended Role in Crime Lore 📜

On this day, Alonzo T. Cross secured the patent for the first-ever ball-point pen. This invention unwittingly gave future crime writers a smoother tool and potential culprits a more reliable instrument for their dubious deeds. From jotting down the intricate details of a mysterious event to crafting sinister ransom notes, or penning a gripping thriller novel about a heist, the ball-point pen became an accomplice in crime… at least on paper! 🔍✒️📖

1882: 🔫 Guns Down, Hands Up: The Surrender of Outlaw Frank James 🌵

On this date, Frank James, one half of the notorious James Brothers, chose to lay down his weapons and give himself up in Missouri. His decision came just six months after the assassination of his infamous sibling, Jesse James. Frank was looking to escape the looming shadow of his brother’s fate opted for the path of surrender. 🚂🤠🚓

1999: 💊 Behind the Stethoscope: Shipman’s Sinister Secret 🔍

In 1999, a chilling revelation came to light: Dr. Harold Shipman, a seemingly trustworthy medical professional, was suspected of causing the deaths of nearly 300 patients. On this day, Shipman stood trial, but not for the vast number he’s believed to have harmed. Instead, he faced accusations for a mere 15 murders.

Shipman had a sinister method to his madness; he often recommended cremation to the victims’ families, effectively destroying the very evidence of his wrongdoings. However, every criminal leaves a trail. His lack of tech savviness became his downfall as authorities identified suspicious patterns in his patient records, uncovering the monstrous truth behind Britain’s most prolific serial killer. 💊🖥️🚫

2014: Behind Closed Doors: A Disturbing Crime in Teneriffe 🚪🔍

October 5, 2014, bore witness to a harrowing crime🌪️ in the quiet suburb of Teneriffe, Queensland. Marcus Peter Volke claimed the life of his partner in a heinous manner. The aftermath saw the house tainted with dismembered remains being boiled. As the law👮 closed in, Volke’s story concluded with a sombre end 🕊️.

Whether it’s the seemingly harmless invention of a pen 🖊️ or the unspeakable acts that transpired in a quiet suburb 🏡, every event from the 5th October has added a dark chapter to our collective story. May your 5th of October be far removed from the harrowing tales of yesteryears.

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