Case #042 - The Timaru Poisonings

In 1886 the bustling town of Timaru was stunned when society darling Thomas Hall was arrested for the attempted murder of his wife, Kitty. Author Peter Graham outlines one of the most sensational cases of 19th century New Zealand.

In 1886, as he sentenced Thomas Hall to life in prison for the attempted poisoning of his wife Kitty Hall, the presiding judge said: "You have achieved in the annals of crime the position of being the vilest criminal ever tried in New Zealand."

Tom Hall was part of a rich and influential family in Timaru, but when he ran into financial troubles, his solution was to marry a rich wife, have a child with her and then kill her.

Peter Graham, author of Vile Crimes: the Timaru Poisonings recounts his discoveries of what might be New Zealand's first celebrity trial.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details