The murder trial of Madeline Smith began - On this day in history

The murder trial of Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith began on 30 June 1857. She was accused of murdering her former lover Emile L'Angelier by poisoning him after embarking upon a relationship with William Minnoch, which L'Angelier had allegedly threatened to expose.

The trial intrigued the public, who avidly read newspaper reports of the proceedings, including details of the love letters exchanged between Smith and Angelier. After a lengthy trial, a verdict of 'not proven' was returned, after which Smith moved to London and married publisher George Wardle.

QUICK LINK: The Appin murder of 1752. Was the wrong man executed?