234: The Hammersmith Ghost Murder | England
from Evidence Locker True Crime Hosted by Evidence Locker True Crime
In January 1804, the quiet village of Hammersmith descended into fear over reports of a ghost haunting the streets—believed to be the restless spirit of a suicide victim. This wave of panic took a tragic turn when excise officer Francis Smith, convinced he had encountered the ghost, fatally shot Thomas Millwood, an innocent man. The shocking incident sparked one of the earliest legal debates over mistaken belief as a defense for murder. This episode unpacks the chilling tale, the grip of superstition on the community, and the case’s enduring influence on British criminal law – reaching a pivotal reinterpretation nearly 180 years later. Special Thanks: Branden Morgan (The Devil Within) Follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X & TikTok For more information, visit Evidence Locker Website Want to support our podcast? Visit our page at Patreon 25% of Evidence Locker Patreon proceeds are donated to support the Doe Network – solving international cold cases. To learn more about it visit their website at: https://www.doenetwork.org/ Resources Podcast The Devil Within YouTube The Haunting Murder Case of the Hammersmith Ghost Web Wikipedia Created & Produced by Sonya Lowe Script courtesy of Branden Morgan – The Devil Within Narrated by Noel Vinson Music: “Nordic Medieval” by Marcus Bressler Background track: Doblado Studios: https://www.youtube.com/c/DobladoStudios This True Crime Podcast was researched using open-source or archive materials.
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In 1804, a ghost scare in Hammersmith led to a tragic shooting and a landmark case that shaped the future of criminal law.
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