Edmund Walter Pook
Encyclopedia
Edmund Walter Pook was born at Walworth
, Surrey
in 1851, the son of Ebenezer Whitcher Pook and Mary Pook, formerly Burch. He was employed in his father's printing works at Greenwich
, London
. In May 1871 he was accused of murder
ing Jane Maria Clouson
, a former maid in his parents' home. Jane, who was just seventeen years old, was attacked with a hammer in Kidbrooke
Lane, Eltham, South-East London - a killing that came to be known as the Eltham Murder. It was claimed that Edmund had made Jane pregnant, and as a result Jane was forced to leave the household. However, this claim was refuted by his parents, who stated that Jane was dismissed following several warnings about her unkempt appearance, and slovenly work habits. It was also claimed that Edmund and Jane had continued their relationship following her dismissal. It was said that they met secretly and corresponded romantically with one another. However, these claims were proved to be completely unfounded. No correspondence from either Jane or Edmund could be found, and no witnesses to these secret meetings were able to be presented in court.
Newspaper accounts of the time had intimated Edmund's guilt, even before his trial, which took place at the Old Bailey
in July 1871. During the final day of his trial a large crowd had gather in the street outside the court, the courtroom being packed with spectators. As his acquittal by jury was read out in court, a large cheer went up from the courtroom spectators, but when it was announced to the crowd waiting in the street, the mood was one of anger and disappointment. Those not able to hear the evidence presented in the courtroom, had relied on newspaper accounts to make their own judgment of Edmund's guilt or otherwise. Edmund's acquittal was based on the lack of creditable evidence. It has been suggested that Edmund had escaped justice because of his social class, and family connections. His father had previously worked for The Times
as a tradesman printer. It is highly doubtful that Ebenezer Pook would have had any influence on the processes of the law, and considering that his son, and his wider family were harassed by the print media, both during and after the trial, Ebeneza Pook appears to have had little influence over the newspapers.
Edmund was represented at the Coroner's Inquest into Jane's murder by Henry Pook, a solicitor, not related to Edmund's family. Henry Pook had also represented Edmund Pook in two subsequent criminal libel suits, where Edmund was openly accused in pamphlets of being a murderer, despite his acquittal. During his trail at the Old Bailey, he was defended by Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., with Messrs., Harrinton and Besley assisting.
Edmund and his family subsequently fled London, changing their identity as they continued to be hounded mercilessly by the press.
The murder of Jane Maria Clouson and subsequent the trial of Edmund Walter Pook, was an early example of the growing influence of the print media over public opinion.
Walworth
-Places:United Kingdom* Walworth, County DurhamUnited States* Walworth County, South Dakota* Walworth County, Wisconsin* Walworth, New York* Walworth, Wisconsin, a village* Walworth , Wisconsin, a town...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
in 1851, the son of Ebenezer Whitcher Pook and Mary Pook, formerly Burch. He was employed in his father's printing works at Greenwich
Greenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In May 1871 he was accused of murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
ing Jane Maria Clouson
Jane Clouson
Jane Maria Clouson was a murder victim who was given a memorial at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries, erected by public subscription following the contentious trial and acquittal of Edmund Walter Pook, a printer from Greenwich, who had been accused of her murder...
, a former maid in his parents' home. Jane, who was just seventeen years old, was attacked with a hammer in Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke
Kidbrooke is a district of South East London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The district takes its name from the Kyd Brook, a watercourse which runs from Orpington to Lewisham, by which point it is part of the River Quaggy...
Lane, Eltham, South-East London - a killing that came to be known as the Eltham Murder. It was claimed that Edmund had made Jane pregnant, and as a result Jane was forced to leave the household. However, this claim was refuted by his parents, who stated that Jane was dismissed following several warnings about her unkempt appearance, and slovenly work habits. It was also claimed that Edmund and Jane had continued their relationship following her dismissal. It was said that they met secretly and corresponded romantically with one another. However, these claims were proved to be completely unfounded. No correspondence from either Jane or Edmund could be found, and no witnesses to these secret meetings were able to be presented in court.
Newspaper accounts of the time had intimated Edmund's guilt, even before his trial, which took place at the Old Bailey
Old Bailey
The Central Criminal Court in England and Wales, commonly known as the Old Bailey from the street in which it stands, is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court...
in July 1871. During the final day of his trial a large crowd had gather in the street outside the court, the courtroom being packed with spectators. As his acquittal by jury was read out in court, a large cheer went up from the courtroom spectators, but when it was announced to the crowd waiting in the street, the mood was one of anger and disappointment. Those not able to hear the evidence presented in the courtroom, had relied on newspaper accounts to make their own judgment of Edmund's guilt or otherwise. Edmund's acquittal was based on the lack of creditable evidence. It has been suggested that Edmund had escaped justice because of his social class, and family connections. His father had previously worked for The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
as a tradesman printer. It is highly doubtful that Ebenezer Pook would have had any influence on the processes of the law, and considering that his son, and his wider family were harassed by the print media, both during and after the trial, Ebeneza Pook appears to have had little influence over the newspapers.
Edmund was represented at the Coroner's Inquest into Jane's murder by Henry Pook, a solicitor, not related to Edmund's family. Henry Pook had also represented Edmund Pook in two subsequent criminal libel suits, where Edmund was openly accused in pamphlets of being a murderer, despite his acquittal. During his trail at the Old Bailey, he was defended by Mr. Huddleston, Q.C., with Messrs., Harrinton and Besley assisting.
Edmund and his family subsequently fled London, changing their identity as they continued to be hounded mercilessly by the press.
The murder of Jane Maria Clouson and subsequent the trial of Edmund Walter Pook, was an early example of the growing influence of the print media over public opinion.