Who Killed Hanratty?: An Investigation Into the Notorious A6 Murder

by Paul Foote

Reexamines the A6 murder and the trial of James Hanratty, revealing negligence, obstinacy and ineptitude among the highest powers of the land

Genres: True Crime

456 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 1971

Reviews

[Lynda Kelly]

Another case we're always going to wonder about but it seems James Hanratty was certainly executed in error....

[John]

I have read the second edition twice. First time I was convinced of his innocence. On second reading I concluded the opposite. The subsequent DNA evidence convinced me of his guilt. Given the recent TV show on the case I may re-read.
The Guilty Innocent with Christopher Eccleston (2024)

[Gavin]

The book that eventually led to the pardon of Hanratty, the last man executed in England before the death penalty was abolished as barbaric. The book revolves around an interview conducted by the author (son of former Labour Party leader Michael Foot and a campaigning journalist throughout his life) with the man who claimed responsibility.

I would have read this in the late 80s originally and it has stuck with me ever since. I still have the book, but have never reread it. It's probably quite rare now, having not been republished. If crime interests you I would recommend that if you ever see this book that it were read as a good example of both campaigning journalism and how to delve into the truth. I believe, though, that it transpired that the man claiming responsibility in this book through the author interview was not the culprit. He convinced Foot and Foot convinced many others that he was. His name was Louis something.

Hanratty was exonerated because when his case was looked into by the Criminal Review Board it was found that the evidence was simply not there to link him to the crime for which he was executed. He couldn't drive very well, as Foot notes, and was probably in Rhyl at the time of the murder, as Foot also notes. These led to his pardon, although Foot's book under review had a big part in the case being reopened.

[Lord Bathcanoe of Snark]

DNA evidence has surely proved Hanratty was guilty. Along with eye witness and overwhelming circumstantial evidence, a case of miscarriage of justice no longer holds water.
Hanratty's champions will never accept the verdict. If a video of him committing the crime was found they would say it was fake.

[Moirad]

DNA evidence in 2002 seems to prove Hanratty's guilt - shock after reading all the evidence pointing the other way in this book. However, Foot and the Hanratty family believe there was contamination of the DNA evidence because the items were not kept separate at the time of the trial.