David Caplan
Murderer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- —
- Location
- —
- Date of birth
- 1877
- Age at first offence
- 42
- Characteristics
- parricide, abuse
- Victim profile
- H is wife. Freda, and their two children
- Method of murder
- Beating with a flat-iron Loca tion : Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
- Date(s) of murder
- October 14, 1919
- Years active
- 1919
- Date of arrest
- Same day (suicide attempt)
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by hanging in Manchester on January 6, 1920
Case record: David Caplan
Background
David Caplan was a former sailor.
In 1917, the Caplans moved to a home of their own in Leeds after living with Mrs Freda Caplan's mother. David Caplan often beat his wife, and during the next two years, Freda and the children made the journey back to her mother in Liverpool on ten occassions. Each time, David Caplan came in hot pursuit, full of apologies and assurances that it would not happen again.
In the summer of 1919, they moved back to Liverpool, once again settling with Freda's mother, before moving into a flat above a shop on Derby Road, Kirkdale. Caplan found employment at a local engineering works, while his wife ran a millinery business in the shop below the flat.
The offence
Freda Caplan and their two children were murdered. The bodies of Freda and the two children were found in a bedroom and were beaten to death with a blood stained flat-iron which lay at the foot of the bed.
Investigation and arrest
On 13th October 1919, Freda took out a summons for assault against her husband which resulted in a ten shillings fine.
After the court case, Caplan told his wife that he would have his revenge upon her. The next day, a neighbour heard screams coming from the shop. The police were called and found the bodies of Freda and the two children in the bedroom. Caplan was downstairs with a self-inflicted throat wound made by a razor.
Trial
Caplan was tried before Mr Justice McCardie at Manchester Azzies on 2nd December, 1919.
The prosecution alleged that it was a cold blooded, premeditated murder. The defence offered an insanity plea, arguing that Caplan was not responsible for his actions and that he had no recollection of the killings.
Sentencing
Forty two year old Caplan was executed.
Outcome
Forty two year old Caplan was executed on the 6th January 1920 in Manchester.
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