Harry Lewis
Murderer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Location
- Marylebone, London, England, United Kingdom
- Date of birth
- 1927
- Age at first offence
- 21
- Characteristics
- —
- Victim profile
- Harry Saul Michaelson
- Method of murder
- Hitting with a tubular steel chair
- Date(s) of murder
- December 26, 1948
- Years active
- 1948
- Date of arrest
- January 18, 1949
- Status
-
Executed
Executed by hanging at Pentonville on April 21, 1949
Case details
Harry Lewis was convicted of murder following the assault of cartoonist and commercial artist Harry Saul Michaelson at a basement flat in Furzecroft, a block of flats in George Street, Marylebone.
Background
In the early hours of Boxing Day 1948, the night porter at Furzecroft in George Street, Marylebone heard a shout for help. The sound appeared to come from the basement.
Michaelson lived in the flat with his wife, but she was away on holiday.
The offence
The night porter investigated and found Michaelson outside number 75, a basement flat, dabbing a deep wound in his forehead with a towel.
Michaelson was assaulted and sustained injuries including a deep wound in his forehead, a fractured skull, and broken ribs.
Investigation
Police investigating the crime found fingerprints in Michaelson’s blood on a tubular steel chair that had been used to assault Michaelson.
A check at Scotland Yard identified the fingerprints as matching 21-year-old Harry Lewis, described as a known thief.
Arrest
Harry Lewis was arrested on 18th January 1949.
When questioned, Lewis freely admitted entering Michaelson’s flat through an open window and said that he had been disturbed when Michaelson had woken up. Lewis admitted picking up the chair and hitting the man twice, but denied murder.
Trial
Lewis was tried at the Old Bailey. The trial opened on 7th July 1949.
At trial, Lewis’s defence put forward the theory that it was the hospital operation that had killed Michaelson, not the assault.
The jury were not impressed by the defence theory and promptly found Lewis guilty. The jury added a recommendation for mercy.
Sentencing
The judge did not accept the recommendation for mercy and sentenced Lewis to death.
Timeline
- Boxing Day 1948 (early hours) — The night porter heard a shout for help and found Michaelson outside number 75, a basement flat.
- 18 January 1949 — Harry Lewis was arrested.
- 7 July 1949 — The trial at the Old Bailey opened.
- 27 December 1948 — Michaelson died without regaining consciousness after surgery at Paddington hospital.
- 21 April 1949 — Harry Lewis was hanged at Pentonville Prison.
Outcome
Harry Lewis was convicted and sentenced to death.
Aftermath
Harry Lewis was hanged at Pentonville Prison on 21st April 1949.
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