Edith Alice Morrell
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Edith Alice Morrell (1868 – 13 November 1950), was a resident of Eastbourne and patient of the suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams. He was tried for her murder in 1957 but acquitted. There were indications of interference with the trial.[1]
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[edit] Medical History
Morrell had originally suffered a cerebral thrombosis (a stroke) in June 1948, when she was living in Cheshire. She was partially paralyzed and had severe arthritis.
On 5 July 1948 she moved to Eastbourne, and began to be seen by Adams two days later. She had been prescribed ¼ grain of morphine in Cheshire because she was unable to swallow Veramon (painkilling) tablets. On 9 July, however, Adams increased the dose to ½ grain and added 1/6 grain of heroin (a more powerful drug) on the 21 July to ease symptoms of "cerebral irritation" and to help her sleep. During the trial the prosecution contended that she would have become addicted within two weeks. This would have left her craving medication and under the influence of whoever provided it.
Adams suddenly withdrew the morphia completely on 1 November 1950 only to reintroduce it on the 6th, giving 2 grains. This was the date Dr. Douthwaite, an expert medical witness, selected as the day an intent to kill could be first deduced (though he later equivocated, mentioning the 1st of November and also the 8th).
On the 7th she was given 1½ grains of morphia and 2½ of heroin. On the 8th, 2 grains of each. On the 9th Adams gave 2 grains of morphia and 1½ of heroin. Then on the 10th she was given 1 grain of morphia and 4 grains of heroin, 5 on the 11th, and 3½ on the 12th. That day she was also given paraldehyde to mask involuntary jerks, but which also acted as a mild sedative and depressant of the lungs. The latter was particularly dangerous since heroin also decreases lung functionality.
The recommended dose of morphine in 1949 was ¼ grain and 1/6 grain of heroin per day (though in France it was up to a ⅓ for the latter). The fact that Morrell was 81 at the time meant that there was also the added risk of 'accumulation', since her weakened body couldn't excrete the drugs as efficiently as a younger patient might.
Morrell died on the 13 November. When Adams saw her body in the morning, he slit her wrist to ensure she was dead, an act that had most probably been agreed with the patient to ensure she was not buried alive.[1]
[edit] Wills
Mrs Morrell made several wills. In some of them Adams received large sums of money or furniture — in others, he was not mentioned. On 24 August 1949 she added a clause saying that Adams would receive nothing. Three months later aged 81, she died from a stroke, according to Adams. Despite Morrell's clause, the doctor received a small amount from Morrell's £78,000 estate, a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (valued at £1,500) and an antique chest containing silver cutlery worth £276, which Adams had told her he admired. After Morrell's death, he also took away an infra-red lamp she had bought herself, worth £60. It was later found at his surgery.
Adams was arrested in 1956 for the murder of another patient, Gertrude Hullett, after a tip-off from her friend, actor Leslie Henson, that led the police to investigate Morrell's death as well. He was tried for Morrell's murder in 1957 but was found not guilty. The prosecution lost important evidence which was then produced by the defence and two medical experts differed in their interpretation of Morrell's treatment by Adams[2]. The Attorney General then entered a plea of nolle prosequi regarding Mrs Hullett.
Adams was never found guilty of any deaths but the Home Office Pathologist Francis Camps suspected him of killing 163 patients.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Cullen, Pamela V., A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr. John Bodkin Adams, London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9
- ^ Bedford, Sybille, The Best We Can Do, Penguin, 1989 ISBN 0140115579
[edit] See also
- Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire - died in Adams' presence 13 days after Morrell
[edit] External link
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