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James Hanratty

One Of The Most Talked-About Murder Cases
In British Legal History


On wednesday, 4th april 1962, James Francis Hanratty was hanged at bedford prison for the murder of Michael Gregsten, a research physicist, by the side of the A6, near Maulden, Bedfordshire.

On the evidence presented at bedford assizes, should Hanratty have hanged for this crime? Should he have been found guilty of the murder at all, and the rape and attempted murder of Gregsten’s lover, Valerie Storie?

I think not…but

Forty years later, DNA samples taken from Hanratty’s body, and compared with clothing retained by the police, appear to prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that James Hanratty was guilty as charged.

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