Ruth Ellis was sentenced to death in 1955 for shooting her lover David Blakely six times outside The Magdala pub in Hampstead.
Some 60 years on from the abolition of the death penalty, and 70 years after her execution at Holloway Prison, Ruth’s grandchildren today (October 21) made a formal application for a conditional pardon.
The grandchildren of Ruth Ellis (pictured with her lover David Blakely) who shot her lover outside The Magdala pub in 1955 are seeking a pardon from Justice Minister David Lammy.(Image: Wikimedia/PA)
Writing to Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy MP, Stephen Beard, Laura Enston, James Enston, and Chloe Beard detailed Ruth’s emotional, sexual and physical abuse at the hands of Blakely and others, which they say was not sufficiently considered at the time of her trial.
They also highlighted failings in the investigation of her case and defence, and cited evidence of prejudice among police and the then-Home Secretary, who had the power to grant a reprieve.
They say Gwilym Lloyd-George’s approach to a delay or reprieve of her hanging was influenced by social prejudice and resistance to a growing campaign against the death penalty.
They also highlighted failings in the investigation of her case and defence, and cited evidence of prejudice among police and the then-Home Secretary, who had the power to grant a reprieve.
They say Gwilym Lloyd-George’s approach to a delay or reprieve of her hanging was influenced by social prejudice and resistance to a growing campaign against the death penalty.
Ruth’s descendants say a posthumous conditional pardon would right a historical wrong by acknowledging her as a victim of physical and mental abuse, manipulation and an inadequate judicial process.
Granddaughter Laura Enston said: “Ruth’s execution has had a devastating impact on our family. My mother and uncle suffered from trauma from which neither of them were able to recover, and as grandchildren we have felt these ripple effects.
“The evidence shared with the Justice Secretary makes clear that the punishment did not fit the crime. We are determined to do what we can to right this historic injustice and honour not only Ruth but all victims of domestic abuse who have been let down by the criminal justice system.”
Ruth was a 26-year old single mother of two when she met racing-car driver Blakely at a club that she managed.
Their two-year relationship was abusive and violent – according to Ruth’s accounts and those of her friends and doctor she was assaulted in public, pushed down the stairs; struck so hard in the ear she was briefly rendered deaf.
She was also left with “multiple bruises all over the body”, threatened with murder abd punched in the stomach, resulting in a miscarriage.
On Easter Sunday, just days after the miscarriage and distraught at his refusal to speak to her, Ruth tracked Blakely down to the pub where he was drinking with friends and shot him with a gun given to her by another ex-lover, Desmond Cussen.
Evidence points strongly to Ruth suffering from what we know today as ‘battered women syndrome’, yet the jury at her trial was instructed by the judge not to consider that she had been “badly treated” by her lover.
The law at the time meant Ruth was unable to use any defence that took her emotional state or abuse into account – in 1955 there was no plea of diminished responsibility.
With today’s understanding of abusive and controlling behaviour, the application claims Ruth would at most be considered guilty of manslaughter.
Representing Ruth’s family Alex Bailin KC said: “Thankfully, 70 years after Ruth was hanged, there is now a much better understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on the emotional wellbeing and behaviour of victims.
“Based on the evidence we have reviewed, if Ruth’s case had taken place in modern times, she would have been able to plead a defence of diminished responsibility or loss of control.
“A posthumous conditional pardon for Ruth Ellis would correct a historical wrong and send a clear message to the public that violence against women and girls is never acceptable”
James Libson, managing partner at Mishcon de Reya, solicitors for the grandchildren, said: “Ruth suffered considerably at the hands of an abusive, violent partner. While there is no dispute that Ruth Ellis killed David Blakely, the weight of evidence of her vulnerability makes it absolutely clear that she should never have been executed, and by today’s standards she would likely not have been convicted of murder.
“The justice system failed her and there is a strong basis for the Justice Secretary to grant her a conditional pardon.”
In 2003, Ruth’s sister Muriel Jakubait brought an unsuccessful case to the Court of Appeal, which had to consider the law as it stood at the time of the offence.
In the case of a pardon, however, The Justice Secretary is allowed to take into account legal and social developments since the conviction to recognise that the punishment was unfair.
Previous pardons have included Alan Turing’s for gross indecency, and First World War soldiers executed for desertion.
