The Reid Scale: Classic Unsolved Murder Cases

[sdreid]

Level 2: Cases where there is no standing conviction but where there is a somewhat better than even chance that one suspect did it.

Note: "one suspect" could also be one pair of suspects or one group of suspects

Hi Rob:

It probably doesn't help but I did later slightly modify Level 2 as shown above.

No problem though - I expect disagreements

[robhouse]

I still don't see how Lizzie Borden is a level 2, which seems to mean there is an even chance she was guilty or innocent. I think anyone who has read her deposition would come to the conclusion that she is guilty. I would put her in Level 1, along with OJ. Just because some books have been published suggesting other suspects (Morse, the maid, Emma, etc) doesn't mean much of anything.

[sdreid]

If Wood was guilty, he was better at playing innocent than Lizzie and O.J., in my view at least.

[sdreid]

I don't think Wood at Level 2 could be too far off. Who else, Sickert? Her husband couldn't have done it although that doesn't mean he couldn't have put someone up to it. I think I would be less sure of Wood than Lizzie and for sure less than O.J.

[sdreid]

Thanks Miss. Undoubtedly, there will be many differences of opinion.

[miss marple]

Crippen 0 yes, but I would put Robert Wood [ Emily Dimmock] at level 2. He was lucky to get off due to Marshall Hall and there was a lot of class bias in the case.
Before DNA an breakable chain of circumstantial evidence could convict, but it has to be unbreakable not just the odd coincidence, now its DNA. DNA has revolutionised convictions but motive. circumstance and opportunity are just as important
The Frederick Seddon case has always interested me, a level 1,although he was convicted of poisoning Eliza Barrow, there is no evidence that he did, nor that he had contact with arsenic. His wife was acquitted although she had more opportunity.He was very mean and shrewd about finance and certainly took control of her money and property to his advantage, but she trusted him and he did not cheat her with regards to the annuity he paid her.
Be interested to hear thoughts on this.
Miss Marple

[sdreid]

To clarify, there were no arrests for the Austin Annihilator series but there were for some individual slayings listed as possibles in the group. Not even in those cases though was there a conviction that stood.

To be specific, the husbands of the last two victims were arrested but both proved their innocence.

[sdreid]

Those examples are based on my perception of the consensus. Personally, I would probably put Crippen at a zero.

[sdreid]

More general examples:

0-Gary Ridgway

1-
A-Dr. H.H. Crippen
B-O.J. Simpson

2-Duff/Sidney Case

3-Villisca Ax Murders

4-Margery Wren Case

[sdreid]

To clarify, there were no arrests for the Austin Annihilator series but there were for some individual slayings listed as possibles in the group. Not even in those cases though was there a conviction that stood.

[sdreid]

The second 2 accused but not convicted and the fifth convicted but reversed then finally not even an arrest in the last case.

[sdreid]

The first two not only accused but convicted.

[sdreid]

Sadler was the one I was the most uneasy with but it was the best I could think of at the time. Maybe someone else can do better.

[sdreid]

As I put over on jtrf, here's a group of examples with a JtR connection; the first half listed under accused and the others by victims:

0.
William Bury

1.
A-Israel Lipski
B-Thomas Sadler

2.
Emily Dimmock

3.
Carrie Brown

4.
Servant Girls

[sdreid]

I should add that missing and presumed murdered would go on whatever the proper level would be the same as if it was a known murder so, for instance, Judge Crater would be something like a Level 4.