Murder or Mercy? The Witney Shooting That Shocked 1884
News of the Times | Episode 516 [1884
In the quiet town of Witney, Oxfordshire, 1884, a desperate son pulls the trigger—and Victorian England must decide whether he is a murderer… or a saviour.

John William Rose claimed he fired to stop his father from killing his mother. The evidence? A terrified family, a long-suffering wife, and a courtroom gripped by the ethics of justice, duty, and family protection.

Was it murder—or mercy?
This shocking tale from Victorian headlines gripped the nation in 1884. Today, we bring it vividly back to life.

💥 Expect:
Domestic horror behind closed doors
A courtroom divided
One of the most sympathetic verdicts in Victorian criminal history

🎩 Further Particulars:
A Liverpool constable loses not just his wife—but also his teaspoons. When love elopes in a different uniform, who does the law pursue first?
👤 Hosted by Robin Coles

📅 New uploads every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
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▶️ **Related episodes from the vault:**
1884 & 1928: Murders in County Durham | Ep239
https://youtu.be/WuEUFfWK7qA
1884: Love, Jealousy, and Murder | EP361
https://youtu.be/KLjcAcYc9ik
1884: The Vienna Murders - Serial Killer Hugo Schenk | EP387
https://youtu.be/oKINEcehrdA
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🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past. No corporate sponsors, no boardroom edits — just a genuine love of weird and wonderful crime.

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