Mrs. Emsley is a widow who has been accused of murdering her husband. She is brought to trial and the jury is unable to reach a verdict. The case is then referred to the Court of Appeal, where the judges must decide whether to uphold the original verdict or to acquit Mrs. Emsley. The case is complicated by the fact that Mrs. Emsley's husband had been having an affair with another woman, and the evidence against her is circumstantial. The prosecution argues that Mrs. Emsley had motive and opportunity to commit the crime, while the defense argues that there is no direct evidence linking her to the murder. The judges must weigh the evidence and decide whether to acquit or convict Mrs. Emsley. In the end, the judges decide to acquit her, citing a lack of evidence. The case is a landmark in British legal history, as it is the first time a jury has been unable to reach a verdict and the case has been referred to the Court of Appeal.
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1901 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction