What does the treatment of Lucy by the authorities show about 19th century attitudes to the crime of infant murder?

Child murder - the case of Lucy Lowe: Task 5

Why did Lucy not die by hanging?

From the court records (ASSI.12.9 and ASSI.11.33), (provide links)

• What was the verdict?
  
• What was the sentence?
  
• Was it carried out?

Look at the list of jurors in ASSI.11.33.

• What does this tell you about the position of women in the Courts?

From the Home Office Records (HO45.9413.56783.1) (provide link)

• Did the judge wish the Home Office to carry out the jury's recommendation for mercy?
  
• How did the Secretary of State feel about it?

Why did Lucy gain her remission?

From the evidence after the trial:

Look at the first and second letters written by Lucy to beg for her release. The writing in the margin of each is a summary written by the clerk of the Secretary of State who makes the decision. The gaol record says that she could read and write -imperfectly?.

• Do you think she had help in writing these letters, and the letter she wrote to Mrs Kirkman?
  
• The two letters from prison are 9 months apart, and almost identical. Why might the second letter succeed when the first failed to get Lucy released?
  
• How does Lucy explain her action in murdering her child?
  
• How does this confirm what you have found out about single mothers working as servants?

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