A Cruel Love The Ruth Ellis Story S01 E02
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00:00You
00:30You
01:00I want to look my best for David
01:30The
01:37Defense rests on a single word provocation
01:41We all know that's risky not a single applicable precedent in an English murder trial Blakely beat Ruth black and blue
01:48He humiliated her took her for every penny she had I believe if we can show that then this isn't murder
01:53It's manslaughter
01:55You must get the crown's witnesses to reveal what they know my cousin who by all rights should be a witness for the defense
02:02They may have got to him somehow
02:04They have some rabbit in the hat. You must push him in the cross
02:10Well, that's all mr. Bigfoot
02:20Ruth
02:23Mr. Stevenson QC lead counsel
02:26He'll take you through the defense strategy. I just want those malicious snobs to pay for what they did
02:33malicious snobs
02:34The Finlayters if it weren't for them David would still be alive
02:39Dr. Whittaker's theory the effects of jealousy on hysterical women. I think we should lean on him
02:45Ruth isn't hysterical. She shot Blakely because he was unfaithful
02:49You heard her her anger of the Finlayters because they tried to tempt him with other women
02:53She was consumed by sexual jealousy, which provoked her uncontrollably to murder. She was provoked by Blakely's violence
03:01She'd miscarried a child. She hardly mentioned that because she's traumatized. It's a question of what the jury will understand
03:11You should never have let her bleach her hair does she look like a beaten woman to you
03:18Oh
03:20Oh
03:35Don't
03:37Oh
03:45God it's grossing boy. Stop looking up her skirt you
03:55What do you think bit vulgar bloody ridiculous
03:59And love it
04:01I'm reading all about you in the gossip columns. Oh, yes, snotty bastards. Can't believe a girl from stains could marry a prince
04:08There's a revolution coming girls
04:11Class in what school you went to no one will give a toss as long as you know how to have a good time
04:18Look at you and David
04:23What's he doing here he's restful compared to David
04:27Mm-hmm
04:28One of those who just wants a cuddle
04:31It's not like that. We haven't actually it probably follows you upstairs. What choose through a crack in the door creepy
04:41Everyone positions quickly mrs. Ellis is a woman of 28
04:47Divorced and the story you are going to hear is this that in
04:531954 and 1955
04:55She was having simultaneous love affairs with two men
05:00David Blakely the deceased and another man called cousin whom I shall call before you
05:07Blakely was trying to break off the connection and the accused woman was angry at this
05:13Even though she had another lover at the time. She therefore took a loaded gun
05:19found David and
05:21Shot him by emptying that revolver at him
05:27Now you are not here in the least concerned with adultery or
05:34Sexual misconduct you are not trying her for immorality
05:42But for murder
05:45Oh
05:47Aren't you sweet? I'm so sorry darling David asked me to let you know he can't make it. He's tied up with work
05:57What's about time he bloody did some hmm more cake for us
06:01Oh
06:10Darling look, I'm sorry. I'm sure if you'd realize the effort you'd gone to you both know he's not working. Are you with him?
06:17Of course not look David's engaged to be married to Mary Dawson. He's been living here with me for months
06:25You've been a lovely friend to him bless you
06:31You
06:46The prosecution calls Desmond Cousin
07:02I
07:08Give you a hand clearing up
07:31You
07:46Had known the accused mrs. Ellis for around two years
07:52Did you become a close friend of hers
07:56Yes, you will not mind if we use plain words
08:02Were you her lover
08:07For a short time yes on Sunday the 10th of April the day of the alleged murder did she and her son
08:16Spend most of the day at your flat with you
08:19Yes that evening. Did you drive her back to Edgerton Gardens?
08:25Yes
08:27About what time?
08:31About half-past seven about 730 on the Sunday night, and that is the last you saw of her
08:47Yes
08:54Thank you
08:56They're trying to convict her of immorality
08:59That's why they've called cousin. They want the jury to see it in the flesh
09:03He instructed them not to consider sexual misconduct. That's why he raised it to draw attention to it. Mr. Stevenson
09:13Mr. Cousin
09:16Were you very much in love with this young woman?
09:27You
09:34Yes at the time you were begging the defendant to marry you if she could
09:45Do you need to go to George wants to take him George your husband
09:52I
09:54Am rich childless colleague of his a woman dentist
09:59Once Georgina to go and live with her
10:01Once to adopt her
10:04George says he'll give me a divorce if I say it
10:07You don't need to give up your child
10:10right
10:12Let me look after you all
10:17Marry me
10:19Or don't marry me
10:22I don't care
10:25What about David forget him I
10:30Can give you everything that you need just let me be with you, please God let me be with you
10:40Have you ever seen marks or bruises on her
10:45Yes, were they bad bruises
10:50Yes
10:52I do not want to press you for details. But how often did you see that sort of mark on her?
11:01Must be on half a dozen occasions
11:11Thank you, my lord, thank you. Mr. Cousin you may step down
11:22I
11:34Heard two bangs
11:36Shots, and then what did you see? I
11:40Saw David lying on the ground and mrs. Ellis pointing a gun into his back. Why did you have to kill him?
11:53I
11:57Know questions
12:01Leslie Davis detective chief inspector my lord you saw the accused woman
12:07detained at
12:09Hampstead police station I did my lord
12:12Did you form any impression of her emotional condition at the time of the arrest?
12:18I did my lord. I was most impressed by the fact she seemed very
12:26Composed
12:35No questions
12:39Why aren't you cross-examining I didn't see there was anything useful to be added
12:44He broke her down piece by piece
12:46You must get Finlay to reveal what he knows what he and his wife saw her suffer. Mr
12:51Bickford my job is to show what made the accused so morbidly jealous that she was provoked to kill now if Blakely was merely
12:59A nasty thug. She'd hardly mind if he went off with another woman, would she?
13:04It won't work as a defense. It's not enough. I
13:09Know who gave her the gun
13:11She didn't carry out this crime alone
13:13She instructed me not to mention it, but we must overrule her in her own best interest. Keep your voice down Christ's sake
13:21Drag someone else into it now and it becomes premeditated
13:24Conspiracy to murder the hope of manslaughter. What if she was persuaded coerced even we have a defense
13:31She was provoked by uncontrollable sexual jealousy and you should never breach your clients confidence again. Is that understood?
13:41Yes
13:43Yes, mr. Stamos
13:49The defense calls Anthony Finn later I
13:56Swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth
14:11I
14:34Was humiliated David in front of everyone by your friend Carol
14:40Yes, well, I think she was a bit upset why I told her I was breaking it off with Mary
14:49I'm not marrying someone just because they approve of her. I
14:54Don't care what they think. I don't care what any of them think I
14:59Want to be with you
15:01I
15:07Will marry you might have chosen a better day than your birthday you heartless bastard
15:32I
15:36Wondered if I might get an advance on my wages in sponging again is he
15:41I'm gonna have to start charging you rent on the flat
15:44You can't do that. That flat is a place of business not a love nest
15:49You think he'll make you happy? I'm not asking him to leave rental be 12 pound a week then
16:02Oh, what's this the children are asleep and dinner will be served in five minutes
16:16What are you having the only thing I know how to cook egg and soldiers
16:22Nanny taught me. Of course she did
16:25And I
16:27Always serve my boiled eggs
16:30With Paul Roger
16:38What will your mother think about you breaking it off with Mary
16:44Not very happy I shouldn't think
16:48She likes to pretend we're a model family, which is
16:54Frankly delusional
16:57Your parents divorced
17:00Mm-hmm. I was 11. What happened?
17:07My father had an affair
17:11With a waitress half his age
17:17And she got pregnant had an abortion and she died
17:24They accused him of procuring the drugs, you know, he was a GP
17:33They tried him for murder he was acquitted the judge said there was no case to answer
17:44Yeah, he went back to his medical practices his golf but
17:49His medical practices his golf but our family was poisoned
18:16I'm so sorry
18:19Are these lovebites?
18:43Who?
18:45Who is she?
18:48Jealousy doesn't suit you.
18:49Forgotten Carol.
18:51She's married to my best friend.
18:52Which is exactly why you'd both do it.
18:54You've got it in for her, haven't you?
18:58Because you're an imitation and she's the real thing.
19:04When you're crossed, the accent slips, darling.
19:08I used to think your sort had manners.
19:10What a fool I was!
19:19There's nothing going on with me and David.
19:21It hasn't been for years.
19:22Expect me to believe that, the way you are with him.
19:24Both of you, actually.
19:26Stay out of this, aunt.
19:27Take her.
19:32You're like leeches, both of you.
19:34The way you follow him around, fawning over him.
19:37It's embarrassing.
19:38How dare you come to my house with my child here?
19:41Now, you might have dragged David into your seedy little world, but you will not drag me.
19:47And to talk about leeches, you have been a parasite on David since the day you met him.
19:51Thinking you could drag yourself up in the world, drag your whole squalid family up.
19:54David is naive, I'm not.
19:56His friends are not.
19:57We know what you're up to.
20:00It is not like that.
20:02Look, you know what he's like.
20:04You know what he does.
20:12You never did it to me.
20:15This is of your own making, Ruth.
20:17All of it.
20:18And you will be stopped before you destroy David, too.
20:20Sooner or later, I will make him see who and what you are.
20:26You are.
20:28What a predator.
20:30And this is all a trap.
20:32Then you will have my blood on your hands.
20:34Don't come here again.
20:38Mr. Anthony Findlater.
20:40In the days before Mr. Blakely's death, while he was staying with you,
20:43you received several telephone calls from Mrs. Ellis.
20:48Yes.
20:49Was it quite plain to you when you spoke to her on the telephone that she was in a desperate state of emotion?
20:55No.
20:56Did you observe no indication that she was a very desperate woman at the time?
21:01David, I know you're in there! David!
21:07No.
21:08Was it obvious to you that she was in a state of considerable emotional disturbance?
21:16I didn't get that impression.
21:19She might have been.
21:20On the Saturday night, did you and Blakely come out of the house with a young woman?
21:25I believe it was your nanny.
21:30I do not remember.
21:33You will appreciate what is being suggested.
21:38That there is some reason for Ruth Ellis being jealous of some new woman on the scene.
21:46I did not even know that Mrs. Ellis knew we had a nanny.
22:03Mr. Stevenson.
22:08No further questions.
22:11So that's it? That's all they're going to ask him?
22:16Put Carol up there.
22:18It's too late.
22:19Put Carol in the witness box and ask her about the weeks leading up to David's death.
22:24Ask her what she did to my baby!
22:27What did she do?
22:31We can't call Carol, but you can tell them.
22:34This jury, they want your blood.
22:37To them, you're not a person, you're a character in a story.
22:42A cold-blooded murderer is in a cheap thriller they've read before.
22:46And they know the ending.
22:48They know you're in there.
22:50A cold-blooded murderer is in a cheap thriller they've read before.
22:54And they know the ending.
22:56Change the story.
22:59Give them a different ending. Make them want to save your life.
23:20David Blakely was living with you in a flat which you occupied above the little club?
23:44Yes.
23:45Were you at that time doing your best to build up the business of the club?
23:51My one concern was to build up the business, which had been a failure beforehand.
23:55And at that time were you very much in love with him?
24:10Did you tell him that you wanted to break off the relationship with him?
24:14David.
24:17Yes.
24:18Stop. Stop.
24:20I want you to go.
24:22I want you to pack your things and go tonight.
24:27Stop.
24:28God, it's not even cheating. We're not violent.
24:32It's nothing new. It's the fact that you let those malicious snobs think that I'm the one taking advantage of you.
24:38How did he treat you physically?
24:40Please, I want you to get out now.
24:45He was violent on occasions.
24:48I found this in your bedside table.
24:57It's his.
25:00Isn't it?
25:06And how did that violence manifest itself?
25:10He only used to hit me with his fist and hands.
25:14But I bruise very easily.
25:27What effect did all this have on you?
25:32I began to feel ill about the whole thing.
25:41While this was going on, what was happening to your own earnings in the club?
25:46David!
25:48They were deteriorating. And so was the business.
25:52Don't you ever come down here looking like that again. No wonder this place is bloody empty!
26:01David! David! David, step away from the road!
26:06I'll do it, I swear! If you leave me, I'll do it!
26:10David, step away from the road! Please! Please!
26:13Now, all this time you and he were living together at the club, had he any money?
26:18I had to give him money all the time. Bought his clothes and things. I paid his drinks bills and things.
26:26My stepfather's ready to cut me off. It'll be over for me. The racing.
26:33There's nothing else I can do. It's not like I haven't tried. I'm just useless.
26:39It's alright.
26:41My father's inheritance is gone. My family have gone. My mother hardly speaks to me.
26:47How did David then behave toward you?
26:50He was possessive and jealous. I thought he seemed devoted to me.
26:59Please don't leave me.
27:03Paul, look at you.
27:07What happened to your feelings from then on?
27:10He was a very likeable person and I got very attached to him.
27:14Marry me.
27:18I'm already married.
27:19Then divorce him.
27:23What about your family?
27:24I don't care about them.
27:27I will never have any happiness unless you marry me.
27:34This is a photograph that Blakely gave you.
27:50Yes.
27:52Did he write on it in your presence?
27:55Yes.
27:57To Ruth.
28:00All my love.
28:04David.
28:15My Lord, I wonder if she might sit down.
28:18Yes, certainly.
28:19Quite all right.
28:20Do, by all means.
28:23I don't need to sit down.
28:27And then two weeks before David's death, did you find that you were pregnant?
28:33Yes.
28:35What happened about it?
28:38Well, we got into a fight. David got very violent.
28:44He thumped me in the tummy.
28:47I do not know if that's what caused the miscarriage or not, though.
28:57You, uh, had a miscarriage.
29:04Yes.
29:06I had a miscarriage.
29:08You, uh, had a miscarriage.
29:15Yes.
29:21And we've heard the evidence about you taking the revolver and getting a cab to Hampstead and shooting him. Is that right?
29:38Quite correct.
29:42Why did you do it?
29:44I don't really know, quite seriously. I was just very upset.
29:49I do not really know why I shot him. Is that right?
29:55Yes.
30:09Mrs. Ellis, when you fired that revolver at close range into the body of David Blakely, what did you intend to do?
30:24It is quite obvious when I shot him I intended to kill him.
30:39I hope you appreciated the suit through the last weekend, you know?
30:56What was that?
30:58What was what?
31:00In the witness box. You looked embarrassed. You looked bored.
31:05It became perfectly clear none of this is going to do any good.
31:09What were you going to tell them about what the Finlaytors did about the miscarriage?
31:17Thank you for securing my hair appointment. I know the prison were rather difficult about it.
31:22I think they thought I was going to drink the bleach. No chance, not least before I got my roots done.
31:26No chance, not least before I got my roots done.
31:28For God's sake, Ruth. Make these people understand what you've been through.
31:35Tell them about whatever it was the Finlaytors did. Tell me at least.
31:41No one wants to hear about my insides. The jury don't. Stephenson certainly doesn't. And you, I know you think you do, but you don't.
31:47No one wants to hear about women bleeding and what men do to make them bleed.
31:51It's all a little bit embarrassing for everyone. It's certainly not going to get me off a murder charge.
32:00They believe, don't you see, in his lies.
32:06We should have told the police about Cosson's involvement.
32:13You've perjured yourself in the witness box, and I allowed it.
32:22You've condemned yourself.
32:43So what follows, Dr. Whitaker, as the effect of infidelity by the male partner on the female mind?
32:50Women are more prone to hysterical reactions than men.
32:54They are inclined to lose some of their inhibitory capacity and solve their problems on a more primitive level.
33:03Don't be jealous, please.
33:06In your view, had the accused considered the consequences of what she was doing?
33:13Well, I asked her if she thought about her children. She said she did not think of them at all.
33:20She said she didn't think of them at all.
33:24She said she didn't think of them at all.
33:27About her children. She said she did not think of them at all.
33:43Right. Now you be good for Daddy, okay?
33:51I'll call tonight to see how she's settling in.
33:53Give her a few days, eh? My solicitor will be in touch about the divorce proceedings.
34:05Thank you, Dr. Whitaker. You may step down.
34:13That is my case, my lord.
34:15Before you address the jury, it would be as well if we had a short discussion as to the law.
34:22You may release the jury until tomorrow morning.
34:36I gather you wish to address the jury as to the question of provocation.
34:41I do, my lord.
34:42There has to be some conduct, has there not, on the part of the deceased man which caused this unfortunate result?
34:49What is the evidence of conduct on Blakely's part which is considered to amount to provocation?
34:55May I be absolutely frank about that, my lord? The answer is that there is no authority,
35:04no authority that has ever considered the effects on the female mind of infidelity.
35:08Does your proposition come to this? If a man associates with a woman and then leaves her suddenly,
35:16and she is a jealous woman, emotionally disturbed, and goes out and shoots him,
35:23that is sufficient grounds for the jury to reduce the crime of murder to manslaughter?
35:38Mr. Bigfoot, a single day to hear all the evidence in a murder trial. Why did nobody ask about the gun?
35:52I'm sorry?
35:54I know she lied about how she got it. There was never any gun left at the club as security.
35:58I told the police, but nobody seemed to care.
36:01And what about that black cab that was never found?
36:04You know Desmond Carson used to drive a black cab for fun? Is it him? Did he help her?
36:12I don't know.
36:13It's not true, is it? It's not too late. You can get her back. The three of you, you can all live with me.
36:34I know you think you can save me, but I can't.
36:40I know you think you can save me, but it's just a sweet fantasy to distract from the sordid truth,
36:47which is that you are a lonely drunk, and I'm a hostess whose company you pay for.
36:53Why are you doing this, Ruth?
36:57Because I love him.
37:02I will save you. Whether you want me to or not.
37:09I love you.
37:39It is my duty as a judge, as a matter of law, to direct the jury that the evidence in this case does not support a verdict of manslaughter on the grounds of provocation.
37:58My Lord, in view of that ruling, it does not seem that it would be proper for me to address the jury at all.
38:04It does not seem to me that there is any issue left on which you could address the jury.
38:10No, my Lord. I am obliged.
38:16In the circumstances, my Lord, I have nothing more to say.
38:21Members of the jury, according to our law, it is no defence for a woman who is charged with the murder of her lover to prove she was a jealous woman and had been badly treated by her lover,
38:45and after he left her without warning, she became furious with him and formed an intention to kill him.
38:54None of these facts, individually or collectively, afford any defence.
39:01Shame on you! All of you!
39:06Get off me!
39:14I need to talk to you about Ruth Elise and Desmond Cussin.
39:39Jury's back.
39:45Fourteen minutes.
39:58Members of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict?
40:03We are.
40:05Do you find Ruth Elise guilty or not guilty of murder?
40:10Guilty.
40:25Prisoner at the bar, you stand convicted of murder.
40:30Have you anything to say before judgment of death is passed, according to law?
40:40Ruth Elise, the jury has convicted you of murder. In my view, it was the only verdict possible.
41:03You will be taken hence to the prison in which you were last confined, and from there to a place of execution, where you will suffer death by hanging.
41:18And thereafter, your body buried within the precincts of the prison. And may the Lord have mercy on your soul.
41:27Amen.
41:30Thanks.
41:32Amen.
41:52Thank you, Edward. It went better than expected.
42:03Is that man your junior at Treasury Council?
42:07That's correct.
42:09Edward Cussin.
42:12Is he related to Desmond Cussin?
42:16They are cousins.
42:21That's why you called Desmond as a witness, isn't it?
42:25To protect him from other accusations, such as conspiracy to murder.
42:31Do you know much about Buddhism, Mr. Bickford?
42:35I've practiced it for 30 years.
42:38And one of its teachings is that we are all responsible for our own liberation.
42:44Ruth Elise knows this.
42:48No one else, no judge or jury, no friend, has put her in her present position.
42:54It is her own actions that have done so.
42:57That is karma.
43:07I shall be starting the reprieve case immediately.
43:12Well, we did the best we could for her.
43:18No. No, we did not. This whole process has been a disgrace, a sham.
43:24I'm going to fight for her to be reprieved.
43:27Do things differently, as they should have been done.
43:32Desmond's cousin is in the same chambers as Christmas Humphreys.
43:36He's a bloody silk.
43:43You knew about Desmond?
43:48Edward Cussin and I worked together during the war.
43:51Edward Cussin and I worked together during the war.
43:55Jesus Christ. You're all in this together.
44:01Of course, that's why you didn't cross-examine. They asked you to protect him.
44:07No. No, they didn't.
44:12Look, dragging somebody else into it wouldn't have helped. Wouldn't have helped at all.
44:18A woman like her, they were never going to let her off.
44:23She deserves clemency for what she's suffered, and I will fight for that.
44:32You're to be moved.
44:47You're to be moved.
45:17You're to be moved.
45:47You're to be moved.
45:49You're to be moved.
45:51You're to be moved.
45:53You're to be moved.