234: The Hammersmith Ghost Murder | England

Evidence Locker True Crime

True Crime, Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.6 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 1 June 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In January 1804, the quiet village of Hammersmith descended into fear over reports of a ghost haunting the streets—believed to be the restless spirit of a suicide victim. This wave of panic took a tragic turn when excise officer Francis Smith, convinced he had encountered the ghost, fatally shot Thomas Millwood, an innocent man. The shocking incident sparked one of the earliest legal debates over mistaken belief as a defense for murder. This episode unpacks the chilling tale, the grip of superstition on the community, and the case’s enduring influence on British criminal law – reaching a pivotal reinterpretation nearly 180 years later.

Special Thanks: Branden Morgan (The Devil Within)

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Resources
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The Devil Within
YouTube
The Haunting Murder Case of the Hammersmith Ghost
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Created & Produced by Sonya Lowe
Script courtesy of Branden Morgan – The Devil Within
Narrated by Noel Vinson
Music: “Nordic Medieval” by Marcus Bressler
Background track: Doblado Studios: https://www.youtube.com/c/DobladoStudios

This True Crime Podcast was researched using open-source or archive materials.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The weather. Tomorrow, expect a biting cold front. Hmm, how naughty. I wonder what I'll be
0:06.8	wearing or taking off. The night will be wild and untamed. Expect heavy, lashing rain
0:13.0	that'll soak you to the skin. By Monday, temperatures will rise slowly but surely reaching
0:18.7	their peak in the afternoon.
0:23.0	Not in the mood for miserable weather?
0:25.8	Fly cheaply to Turkey with Sun Express.
0:28.7	Sun Express, non-stop sunshine.
0:32.2	If you're fascinated by True Crime,
0:35.7	then join us in June 2025 for CrimeCon London.
0:39.7	Meet the biggest names in True Crime TV, experience live forensic demonstrations and dive deep into the criminal mind with your favourite authors,
0:44.8	podcasters and content creators. To secure your place, go to crimecon.com.combe.com
0:50.3	now and be part of the UK's biggest true crime community.
0:59.5	CrimeCon London, partnered by True Crime Channel 7th and 8th of June 2025.
1:07.4	This episode was researched and written by our podcasting friend, Brandon Morgan,
1:10.3	creator of the hit podcast, The Devil Within.
1:15.6	If you're looking for a podcast similar to evidence locker, go check them out on your favorite platform.
1:17.2	Also see our feed to listen to our chat with Brandon about a case we both covered, the
1:21.7	Asset Exorcism Murder.
1:27.0	The street was quiet that night, cold, still.
1:32.1	Francis Smith crept along the dark alleyway, his hands trembling around the wooden grip of his blunderbuss.
1:38.3	His heart pounded in his chest as he turned the corner, eyes scanning the shadows.
1:43.9	And there, not 20 feet ahead, the figure stood.
	...

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