Peter Queen

Background

Peter Queen was the son of a Glasgow bookmaker. He married whilst still quite young, and the marriage became a disaster with the couple separating after his wife had become an alcoholic. Queen’s father hired a nursemaid, Chrissie Gall, to look after the children. Peter Queen and Chrissie Gall became attracted to each other. Chrissie had an affinity for alcohol. Peter Queen and Chrissie moved in together with friends James Burns and his wife, but got their own place in the summer of 1931. Chrissie was not happy about the fact that they were living in sin, and this made her drink heavily.

The offence

Chrissie Gall was found dead in bed after Peter Queen alerted the police. Chrissie was lying dead in bed and had been strangled with a clothes line. There were no signs of a struggle.

Investigation

In the early hours of the next morning, Peter Queen rushed into a local police station and told them: "I think you will find my wife dead." When the police went around to the house, they found Chrissie Gall lying dead in bed, strangled with a clothes line, with no signs of a struggle. Queen was charged with her murder.

Arrest

Peter Queen was charged with Chrissie Gall’s murder.

Trial

Queen’s trial took place at Glasgow in January 1932. The defence obtained the services of Sir Bernard Spilsbury and Sir Sydney Smith. They decided that, because of the lack of signs of a struggle, the woman had committed suicide. One theory which could explain the lack of a struggle was that Chrissie Gall was still drunk when Peter Queen strangled her and never actually regained consiousness. Their testimony failed to persuade the jury of Queen’s innocence. Queen was found guilty, but with a recommendation to mercy.

Sentencing

Peter Queen was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

Outcome

Peter Queen was commuted to life imprisonment. He was later released and died in 1958.

Other details

Mrs Johnson, a friend, called on Chrissie Gall on 20th November and found her drunk. Mrs Johnson returned later with her husband, when Queen had come home and found that Chrissie Gall was sleeping it off in bed. The couple left around 11pm.