At 3 a.m. on April 10, 1836, Helen Jewett’s body was discovered in her bed. Her skull had three mortal gashes. Her body had been crisped by the fire still smoldering in her mattress. There were no signs of struggle.
The investigation would unravel a salacious affair between Helen a 23 year old prostitute and her lover Richard Robinson a 19 year male from money. After being charged with Helen's murder Richard Robinson would be ultimately acquitted. An all white male jury returned a verdict of not guilty after 15 minutes of deliberation. The press was shocked despite eye witness and physical evidence clearly implicating him.
The love affair between a boy from money and a prostitute captivated the city and had the local papers sell like hot cakes.
In this episode we describe the dysfunctional love affair, the brutal murder, and the sham trial that resulted in a not guilty verdict.