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The sentencing of “The Notting Hill Murderer,” Salvador Selden, has been delayed once again. The convicted killer’s solicitor has brought further questions to Selden’s sanity. This is the second such appeal in as many months and the families of the victims are growing anxious. Select family members of the accused, however, are very adamant that he be pardoned and beg for mercy.
Selden’s crimes were many in number and cruel in nature, making him one of the most wanted criminals in all England and the public’s outcry for justice is loud and clear. Despite this general demand for Selden’s execution, the courts are in debate as to whether or not Selden is in full control of his faculties. If he is deemed to be insane, his execution will be replaced with a life sentence in Bedlam Asylum. In the meantime, the Notting Hill Killer is being held at Princetown Prison, located just east of the country moors. Inspector Lestrade of Scottland Yard has assured the public that Selden is secure and, no matter the outcome of the appeals, he will be brought whatever sentence is deemed just by the law.
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“I was awoken in the early hours of the morning by my housekeeper informing me that an urgent message had been sent to me from Baskerton Hall. I was initially perturbed because I had been very busy the day prior, having been in Oxford all day as a guest lecturer. When I realized the situation involved my good friend Sir Charles, however, I rushed to the property as soon as I could.
“I arrived and was met by Mr. and Mrs. Barrymore, both of whom were very upset. Mr. Barrymore told me that he had found Sir Charles dead in the moor. I asked to see where he had been found immediately.
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“No signs of violence were to be discovered upon Sir Charles’s person, though there was an almost incredible facial distortion—so great that I refused at first to believe this it was indeed my friend and patient who lay before me. After a moment of shock I reminded myself that such a symptom is not unusual in cases of dyspnœa and death from cardiac exhaustion.
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“Sir Charles Baskerton was in the habit of walking down the yew alley of Baskerton Hall every night to smoke a cigar before going to bed, so it was not unusual for him to be outside. I did, however, note three unusual things:
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“Firstly, I noted the brand of the cigar, for it was not his preferred brand.
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“Second, when I insisted we called the police, the Barrymores seemed unusually resistant to do so.
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“Finally, I noted a footprint not far from Lord Baskerton’s body. I will not describe the footprint, for I am a man of science and I do not wish to have my name attached to anything that could be perceived as…supernatural.”
The Police Statement of Dr. M. Mortimer
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