Why Plea Deals, Like the 1 Taken By Bryan Kohberger, Don’t Always Bring Closure

In a case case that inspired writers from Thomas De Quincey to Arthur Conan Doyle, seven people from two different households were murdered in separate attacks 11 days apart along the Ratcliff Highway in London’s rough-and-tumble East End. The first victims were linen worker Timothy Marr and his family, including his 14-week-old son, battered with a hammer. Then pub owner John Williamson, his wife and their servant were beaten to death and their throats slashed. A sailor who had previously been a shipmate of Marr’s was arrested but hanged himself in jail before trial; no other suspects were ever charged.