Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Six: An Eye for an Eye

Hanged: Ruth Ellis and the Price of Passion – Part Six: An Eye for an Eye

In this episode, Ruth Ellis takes the stand in her own defense during her murder trial at the Old Bailey. What unfolds is one of the most disastrous testimonies in British legal history.

Ruth answers questions with little emotion, even while recounting her tumultuous relationship with David Blakely, his violence, her miscarriage, and her decision to end their affair. Her matter-of-fact answers shock the jury, and her own attorney is stunned when she calmly admits, “I had an idea I wanted to kill him.”

🔗 Listen now to hear the dramatic conclusion of Ruth’s trial—and stay tuned for Part Seven, the final chapter of her story.

Don’t miss the finale of this series, dropping September 8th.

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Sources:

A Fine Day for a Hanging: The Ruth Ellis Story, Carol Ann Lee, Mainstream Publishing, 2013.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ellis

https://realcrimes.co.uk/ruth-ellis-jealousy-rejection-and-a-hanging/

https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/ruth-ellis-real-story-last-woman-hanged-murder-a-cruel-love-b1141748.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212735/http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/women/ellis/5.html

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/sep/12/ukcrime.claredyer

https://www.hampshirelive.news/news/history/woman-hanged-ruth-ellis-hampshire-4192091

https://www.crimemagazine.com/ruth-ellis-love-lust-and-death-gallows


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✈️ Travel with Us to Mexico City! 🇲🇽

We’re taking Once Upon a Crime on the road—and you’re invited! In March 2026, join us for a fun, fabulous 4-day group trip to vibrant Mexico City. Explore incredible sights, savor delicious food, and connect with fellow true crime fans on an unforgettable adventure.

Reserve your spot today with just 25% down—but hurry, space is limited and will sell out fast!

🔗 Click here to learn more and book your spot now!

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Three Strikes and You're Dead: Louise Peete: Part 1

Three Strikes and You're Dead: Louise Peete: Part 1

In this episode. I share a story about a particularly lethal woman who's long criminal career saw her acquitted of a murder, sentenced to life for another and still released to continue her murderous ways. This is Part One of the case of Louise Peete.  Resources: Dead Woman Walking:Louise Peete by Joan Renner - www.derangedlacrimes.com Black Widow, Mara Bovsun, Daily News New York, November 18, 2001 She Buried Them All by Bill Walker in Saga: The Magazine for Men, January 1962. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 Feb 201926min

Three Strikes and You're Dead: Kenneth Allen McDuff

Three Strikes and You're Dead: Kenneth Allen McDuff

A man murders three innocent teens in 1966, is sentenced to death and later is released from prison to kill again.  This is the case of Kenneth Allen McDuff aka "The Broomstick Killer".  Resources: Articles: "Free to Kill" by Gary Carthwright, Texas Monthly, August 1992.  "McDuff Likely to Take Grisly Secrets to Grave" by Mike Cochran for the Associated Press, published in the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal, 1996.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Feb 201937min

Black Widows: Black Widow Sisters

Black Widows: Black Widow Sisters

A rare form of serial killer are Black Widows - women who kill their spouses and other family members - usually for financial gain.  Even more rare are Black Widow Sisters.  This week I'll share two stories of sisters who set up murder syndicates for profit.   www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Resources: Angela Brabin, The Black Widows of Liverpool: A Chilling Account of Cold-Blooded Murder in Victorian Liverpool. Lancaster:Palatine Books, 2003.  Marcos Aleman, Chicago Tribune, "He pays to get married and emigrate to the US, then they kill him to collect the insurance," March 31, 2017. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29 Jan 201929min

Black Widows: Betty Lou Beets

Black Widows: Betty Lou Beets

A woman is discovered to have murdered two of her husbands and hid their bodies in her yard.   Resources: Book: Buried Memories: The Bloody Crimes and Execution of the Texas Black Widow by Irene Pence Article: CNN.com - "Texas Executes Betty Lou Beets for Husband's Murder", February 24, 2000 Podcasts: Southern Fried True Crime:  www.southernfriedtruecrime.com The Nighttime Podcast: www.nighttimepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Jan 20191h

The Darlie Routier Case with Guest Co-Host Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional Podcast

The Darlie Routier Case with Guest Co-Host Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional Podcast

As a special holiday episode Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional Podcast aka my little sister returns! This time we discuss the ever-debated Darlie Routier case.   Yolanda's Podcast: www.notperfectorfunctional.com or look for it under "Not Perfect or Functional" on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Resources: Book: A Killer in My House: The Darlie Routier Story by David Kennedy Link to DNA results: www.dallascounty.org/public_access.php  Choose "accept" on main page and then enter case number F9639973 to see Darlie Routier's case-related documents.  Video: "The Wrong Man?" (says 20/20 Full Episode, but it's not that show).  Social Media: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Facebook - www.facebook.com/onceuponacrimepod  Twitter - www.twitter.com/uponacrime Instagram - www.instagram.com/onceuponacrimepod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Dec 20181h 58min

Mistletoe and Murder: Marvallous Keene - The Christmas Murder Spree

Mistletoe and Murder: Marvallous Keene - The Christmas Murder Spree

On Christmas week 1992, a series of murders took place in Dayton, Ohio.  Some would call it a case of “thrill killing” others would point to juvenile delinquency, dysfunctional family issues or just plain bad kids.  The identified “ringleader” would fit none of these stereotypes and yet, made the decision to go on a murder spree that would shock his community.   #MarvallousKeene #DaytonOhio #thrillkillers #Christmascrimes See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Dec 201841min

Mistletoe and Murder: The Carnation Christmas Murders

Mistletoe and Murder: The Carnation Christmas Murders

Three generations of one family are murdered on Christmas Eve, 2007 in Carnation, Washington.    Resources: The State of Washington v. McEnroe and Anderson, Certification for Determination of Probable Cause, Dec 28, 2007. Natalie Singer, Seattle Times, "Court papers tell of victims' terrifying last moments," Dec 29, 2007.  Steve Miletich, Jennifer Sullivan, Sara Jean Green and Sonia Krishnan, Seattle Times, "Carnation slaying suspects: a history of arguments, paranoia," Dec 28, 2007.  Levi Pulkkinen, Seattle News, "Man admits to Carnation killings in bid to dodge death sentence," www.seattlepi.com, Jan 9, 2014. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 Dec 201833min

Listener Suggestions  - Benjamin & Erika Sifrit - Killer Couple

Listener Suggestions - Benjamin & Erika Sifrit - Killer Couple

A young couple play a deadly game with perfect strangers on Memorial Day weekend, 2002 in Ocean City, Maryland.  #homicide #killercouples #thrillkillers www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime  Resources: Jeff Barker, The Baltimore Sun, "Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing," June 11, 2003.  Sifrit v. State of Maryland, Court of Appeals Decision, retrieved from www.FindLaw.com, Aug 27, 2008. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Nov 201837min

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