I came across this article whilst surfing the net.
Barbara Forrest (Born 1954) and Mary Ashford (Born 1797) were both the victims of murder 157 years apart yet both instances have remarkable similarities. They were both found murdered on the same day, 27th May, in the same town, both in 1817 and 1974 the 26th of May was Whit Monday, they had both been raped before they were murdered, they were both found within 400 yards of each other, they were both murdered at about the same time of day, there were attempts to hide both bodies, both girls had visited a friend on the evening of Whit Monday, both changed into a new dress that night, and both went to a dance.
The man accused of each murder had the same name - Thornton, and both men were acquitted of murder, both girls have very similar facial features and 10 days before, 17th May 1974, Barbara Forrest said to a friend, "This is going to be my unlucky month. I just know it. Don't ask me why."
These incidents took place in the Erdington/ Pipe Hayes area and both girls had been to the Tyburn House Pub to a dance.
FOOT NOTE
Abraham Thornton was the last man in England to claim a TRIAL BY COMBAT and was acquitted of the charge as there was no suitable Ashford male relative to oppose him. The law of the land was changed as a result.
After the case Thornton emigrated to America.
Barbara Forrest (Born 1954) and Mary Ashford (Born 1797) were both the victims of murder 157 years apart yet both instances have remarkable similarities. They were both found murdered on the same day, 27th May, in the same town, both in 1817 and 1974 the 26th of May was Whit Monday, they had both been raped before they were murdered, they were both found within 400 yards of each other, they were both murdered at about the same time of day, there were attempts to hide both bodies, both girls had visited a friend on the evening of Whit Monday, both changed into a new dress that night, and both went to a dance.
The man accused of each murder had the same name - Thornton, and both men were acquitted of murder, both girls have very similar facial features and 10 days before, 17th May 1974, Barbara Forrest said to a friend, "This is going to be my unlucky month. I just know it. Don't ask me why."
These incidents took place in the Erdington/ Pipe Hayes area and both girls had been to the Tyburn House Pub to a dance.
FOOT NOTE
Abraham Thornton was the last man in England to claim a TRIAL BY COMBAT and was acquitted of the charge as there was no suitable Ashford male relative to oppose him. The law of the land was changed as a result.
After the case Thornton emigrated to America.