Dark Stories: On This Day In True Crime History - Dark Stories True Crime Tours

1808: Broughton and Cheeseman Hanged in Sydney for Cattle Theft at Hawkesbury

Stockmen, Richard Broughton and John Cheeseman, conspired to steal two head of cattle from their employer’s flock at Hawkesbury in April 1808.

Cheeseman paid off Broughton for the two heads of cattle, which were then driven through Parramatta and on to a farm near the Brickfields in Sydney. A king’s evidence witness revealed he had overheard the deal being struck and later spotted the cattle in a herd at the Nepean River.

Broughton and Cheeseman were tried, found guilty and hanged in Sydney. A third accused, Joseph Tilson, was found to have been an unwitting hired drover and escaped the same fate.

Two head of cattle.

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Australia Execution Hawkesbury NSW Parramatta Sydney Theft Trial

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1981: Hinckley Pleads Not Guilty to Shooting President Reagan

In March 1981, John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots at President Ronald Reagan outside a Washington D.C. hotel, wounding Reagan and three others. The attack was later revealed to be motivated by an obsession with actress Jodie Foster.

On 28 August 1981, Hinckley entered a plea of not guilty to charges of attempted assassination. He was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982 and was committed to St. Elizabeths Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Washington D.C.

President Reagan presents an introduction for the Horatio Alger Association | ID 26274897 © Joe Sohm | Dreamstime.com

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Assassination Political Crime Trial USA

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1893: John Conder Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Merchant

John Conder was hanged at Melbourne Gaol on 28 August 1893 for the murder of Kaiza Singh, a Hindu hawker, near Buchan in eastern Victoria. Several hundred people gathered outside the prison, and inside, around two dozen witnesses attended the execution.

Conder was led to the scaffold by the hangman and his assistant, both heavily bearded. A chaplain, recited prayers at the scaffold. When asked by the Sheriff if he wished to make a statement, Conder, who was hard of hearing, shook his head. The rope was placed around his neck and the cap drawn over his face.

Conder cried out “O God, have mercy on my soul” before the bolt was drawn.

John Conder Illustration 1893

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Australia Buchan Execution Melbourne Murder VIC

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1925: Murder On The Dance Floor: Audrey Jacob Shoots Fiance Dead in Perth

At a charity ball in the Government House Ballroom in Perth on the night of 26 August 1925, Audrey Jacob, a 20-year-old art student, shot her former fiance Cyril Gidley through the heart in front of hundreds of revellers.

Gidley, a 25-year-old ship’s engineer, had ended their engagement months earlier, dramatically throwing the engagement ring into the sea. Audrey had attended the ball in costume as Pierrette, a lovesick clown; when Gidley ignored her all evening, she slipped away, changed into a striking blue evening gown, and returned. As the orchestra struck up an encore dance number, she approached him on the floor. A single shot rang out and Gidley collapsed without a word.

Audrey stood over the body, smoking gun in hand, and declared to the stunned crowd: ‘I did it. Take me away. It’s all right. I know what I’ve done.’ She claimed the gun discharged accidentally during a confrontation. The case became a media sensation and led to a landmark trial in which she was found not guilty.

Murder On The Dance Floor

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Australia Fremantle Murder Perth Scandal Trial WA

1808: Broughton and Cheeseman Hanged in Sydney for Cattle Theft at Hawkesbury

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1981: Hinckley Pleads Not Guilty to Shooting President Reagan

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1893: John Conder Hanged at Melbourne Gaol for the Murder of a Merchant

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1925: Murder On The Dance Floor: Audrey Jacob Shoots Fiance Dead in Perth

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