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 The Sinister Supernatural - how the Paranormal Shaped Murder

Thursday 30th October, 18:30 (Doors open at 18:15)

To many, murder seems clear cut: one person kills another with malice aforethought. But the modern law governing murder has taken nearly 1000 years to evolve, and has been shaped by some truly baffling and bizarre cases. 

Over the centuries, juries and judges have considered whether demons can be legally responsible for murders, whether magical spells can really kill and whether ghosts can die.

In this talk, Naomi Ryan will discuss some of the most controversial and confounding murder cases in British criminal history, and explore how the supernatural has shaped our modern understanding of murder.

Naomi Ryan is a criminal barrister. After qualifying with a Masters in Law from St Catherine’s College, Oxford, she taught criminal law to undergraduates at St Hilda’s College Oxford and University College London before embarking on her career as a criminal barrister, where she both prosecuted and defended. She now works as an advisory lawyer on criminal matters within the civil service. She regrets that she has yet to cross-examine any murderous spirits.

Timings: doors open at 18:15. The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Police Museum, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend at the Museum: £12 / £9.60 Friends.

Join us online via Zoom.

The Sinister Supernatural - how the Paranormal Shaped Murder

Thursday 30th October 18:30

To many, murder seems clear cut: one person kills another with malice aforethought. But the modern law governing murder has taken nearly 1000 years to evolve, and has been shaped by some truly baffling and bizarre cases. 

Over the centuries, juries and judges have considered whether demons can be legally responsible for murders, whether magical spells can really kill and whether ghosts can die.

In this talk, Naomi Ryan will discuss some of the most controversial and confounding murder cases in British criminal history, and explore how the supernatural has shaped our modern understanding of murder.

Naomi Ryan is a criminal barrister. After qualifying with a Masters in Law from St Catherine’s College, Oxford, she taught criminal law to undergraduates at St Hilda’s College Oxford and University College London before embarking on her career as a criminal barrister, where she both prosecuted and defended. She now works as an advisory lawyer on criminal matters within the civil service. She regrets that she has yet to cross-examine any murderous spirits.

Timings:  The talk begins at 18:30 and lasts approximately 75 minutes, including a Q&A with the audience.

Conditions of entry: this event is recommended for anyone over the age of 16 years. 

Tickets: there are two ways to attend this event, in person at Bow Street Police Museum, or online via a live stream (using Zoom). 

Prices to attend at the Museum: £6/£4.80 Friends.