37. The Case of Oscar Slater: Conan Doyle’s Final Fight for Justice

In 1908, Oscar Slater, a German Jew living in Glasgow, was wrongfully accused of murdering an elderly woman, Mary Lyon Gilchrist, based on dubious evidence, including a brooch he pawned. Despite weak evidence and signs of a setup, Slater was sentenced to death, later commuted to life in Peterhead Prison. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, became convinced of Slater's innocence and published a book revealing overlooked evidence, sparking public outcry for a retrial. In 1925, Slater sought Doyle's help again, leading to further advocacy, though he wasn’t pardoned until 1927. Doyle’s relentless campaign, alongside journalist William Park, exposed the miscarriage of justice, but Slater showed no gratitude. Conan Doyle passed away in 1930, leaving a legacy of fighting for justice, while Slater lived on quietly until his death in 1948.

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