Murder Most Foul

Recently Janet Courtney, a previous guest writer for Leicestershire Past & Present approached me and very kindly asked if I was interested in presenting the story of James Cook.

After viewing Janet's first article I knew that the trial of James Cook would interest not only historians, but those of you interested in the criminal mind. It is therefore with pleasure that I offer you Janet's first installment of 'Murder Most Foul.'

MURDER MOST FOUL ….. A story of James Cook, Bookbinder, of Leicester

On Wednesday, 8 August, 1832, James Cook stood trial for the premeditated murder of a Mr Paas (yes it does have two 'aa') on the night of 30 May, 1832.

The story surrounding James Cook caused a sensation in its day, not only in Leicester, but the whole country. Mr Paas was a wealthy London merchant, and the crime was well reported in the city papers. Even if Paas had not been a London man, the crime was such that it would still have been reported in the same way. It was the 'stuff' of gothic horror novels and, had it appeared as such, would no doubt have become a best seller.

Even today, it is still written about in local histories, murder fiction books and is cited in academic works. Not all the accounts published are truthful and some attempt to make it even more horrific, however there is no need for that - the facts carry themselves. This account has been taken from local papers, publications and a small book written at the time that tells of his 'being saved'. It is as truthful as the sources were.

On the day of the trial crowds began arriving early in Leicester, many would have taken the day off work and walked miles to be there. By nine o'clock, when Mr Justice Park arrived, the roads to the court were said to be well lined and the court room was packed.

Cook was described as being genteelly dressed, having on a blue coat, which the Leicester Herald reported having been made especially for the trial, black stock and white Berlin gloves: his features were said to be respectable, although not particularly handsome, he had full blue eyes and wore whiskers that had been fashionable a year or two earlier.

In all, he was said to appear respectable, sensible, middle class and that there was nothing that would lead people to suspect that he could have perpetrated such an horrific murder.

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