different realities and reactions station with ”The man in the moon told me to do it. I will have to commit murder, as I must be hanged”.613 Comparing the cases we find quite different results. For example of Hadfield and Burton one was quickly found insane, while none with real power considered it in the other case. Possibly, although the attack on a king was the worst crime legally imaginable, none had been hurt by Hadfield, making it easier not to shed his blood, while Burton had murdered a child. So had Hood and George too, however. That only Burton, the latest successful murderer of these, was executed might indicate that something had happened in English society. One can also wonder if a reason for the British tendency to judge every case quite separately could be the use of the accusatorial trial instead of the inquisitorial used in most other countries. It made most evidence and also medical evaluations of the accused the responsibility of the prosecutor or the defence in the cases, thus making it less likely that such evidence would be produced and possibly influence the judgement. Specific legislation and other general actions related to these crimes were also lacking. 613 Cox and Thompson 1882 p 563 sq, Walker 1968 p 107. 175
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