Deadly Betrayal: The 1828 Mother’s Assassination Conspiracy
News of the Times Episode 457 | 1828
Welcome to today’s episode, where we dive into a gripping tale from 1828—one that reveals a dark and twisted side of deadly loyalty.
Thomas Ellson, a 24-year-old member of a notorious sheep-stealing gang, finds himself at the centre of a shocking case. When fellow gang member James Harrison is caught for a different crime, he strikes a deal for his freedom: testifying against Ellson.
But before the trial can take place, Harrison vanishes. Rumours swirl that Ellson’s mother gathered enough money to hire assassins to silence the only witness against her son.
What follows is a case filled with betrayal at every turn—wives testifying against husbands, brothers-in-law turning on each other, a father called to convict his own son, and even a son condemning his own mother. By the end, five people stand accused in a web of treachery and murder-for-hire.
We’ll explore the crime, the players, and the shocking verdict that followed.
And in today’s Further Particulars segment, we rewind to 1811 for a bizarre weather event—one where a storm rained live alligators. Quite honestly, we hate when that happens!
Hosted by Robin Coles.

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EPISODE
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