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A Full and Authentic Report of the Trial of John Bellingham…, 1812

A full and authentic report of the trial of John Bellingham, Esq. at the Sessions’ House, in the Old Bailey, on Friday, May 15, 1812, for the murder of the Right Honourable Spencer Perceval. Taken in short hand by Thomas Hodgson. 96 pp. (London, 1812).

About the Case
On May 11, 1812, in the British House of Commons, John Bellingham shot and killed Prime Minister Spencer Perceval. At trial, Bellingham did not deny his guilt, but argued that extenuating circumstances, his failed business dealings and imprisonment in Russia and the British government’s refusal to grant him compensation, had driven him to murder Perceval. The defense claimed that Bellingham acted out of insanity, but the insanity plea was denied. Bellingham was found guilty and executed.


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