15 / 16
The Trial
Reginald Birchall’s trial drew attention from local,
national and international newspapers. The trial began
on September 22, 1890 in the Woodstock Town Hall
and Birchall pleaded “not guilty”. Thousands of people
flocked to the Town Hall hoping to get a peek at the
aristocratic “murderer”.
Over the next seven days many witnesses were called
upon to testify including Douglas Pelly, Charles Benwell
(Frederick Benwell’s brother), and the Eldridge
brothers who found the body. With the combination of
witness testimonies vilifying Birchall’s character and
the circumstantial evidence found during the
investigation, Birchall’s lawyer struggled to create a
convincing defense.
The Jury of the Birchall Trial, Woodstock, September 22-29,
1890. – 1890, reproduced [ca. 1971]. COA Photograph
Collection no. 23.