James Landick & James Mills - Exeter

Map of Exeter. Image taken from: https://www.etsy.com/listing/95574446/exeter-map-old-map-of-exeter-large-wall

What would be known as the Tedburn Tap Murder was a sensational crime story which lasted from January to March 1849. The violent murder of the elderly Mrs Grace Holburn rippled through Exeter although the case was overshadowed by other violent crimes around this time.

James Landick who was 33 years old at the time of the crime, was, as the newspapers put it one of the main perpetrators of the crime. According to the evidence given by the other two at the scene, Landick was convinced that Mrs Holburn had a lot of money within the house. He convinced James Millls, his accomplice and a man named Henry Wood to help him with breaking and entering the property. Most of the evidence of the night of the murder was given by Henry Wood. 

James Landick. Image taken from: https://medicalgentlemen.co.uk/patients-and-diseases/tedburn-murder

However, this witnesses' reputation was in dispute according to the Exeter Flying Post which was published on the 25th Janaury 1849, Henry Wood was seen as a half witted person, although he came from a good family within Exeter. He received a good education, and his family even managed to get him into a boarding school in London. Whilst within London, he attempted to try and get into the profession of the law and even worked for a firm for a while. However, even with these advantageous moments in his life. He had idle habits and a dissipated character where he led a vagabond lifestyle.

Wood stated that he was engaged by both Landick and Mills on the day of the murder which was the 2nd December 1848. They arrived in Tedburn at half past eleven. Landick, entered the property through the orchard garden, He then admitted the other two men into the property. He then said that they blackened their faces and entered Mrs Holburn's bedroom. 

Image taken from: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/breaking-and-entering-crime-gm493478436-76900641

The witnesses stated that Mrs Holburn was asleep, but soon woke up when Mills held her down. Landick then rifled through chest of drawers and through her boxes trying to find any money. He found; some money; a sovereign in gold, four half crowns and five shillings in silver. He found a silver spoon and a crooked half sixpence. Landick then went downstairs and found some more silver spoons in a cupboard. He then asked her again where the money was, Mrs Holburn replied and said that the money in the purse was all she had. Mills came off the bed, and Landick threw some clothes at her. Woods then said "don't for God's sake you will kill her". Landick apparently said that it would stop her from crying out. However, this meant that she ended up being smothered to death. They remained in the house for around three hours. For his part in the crime, Wood was given 12 shillings.

It is not clear how James Landick and Mills were caught, but Landick and Mills appear in Court for the wilful murder of Mrs Grace Holburn. Their accomplice, Henry Wood testified against the both of them. Landick admitted his part in the crime, but denied according to multiple sources that he threw the box or clothes at Mrs Holburn which led to her death. He claimed that Wood himself actually threw the box. He further believed that he would be acquitted by the jury, but hearing the judge's summing up and the jury's verdict lost hope. The jury acquitted Mills, but convicted Landick. They recommended a verdict of mercy, as they believed that Landick did not premeditate the murder. However, the judge sentended Landick to death,

Image taken from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0105r8x

On the 4th April 1849, Landick was hung for the murder of Mrs Grace Holburn, it was said that he showed great self-possession at the scaffold. He also talked of his own past, having being a criminal for most of his life committing theft and house breaking through most of his life. Landick further stated that he was grateful that Mills had been acquitted as the man had not known what he, Landick, was going to do. It was said that Wood, with a bunch of women attended the execution. 

However, this is not the end of the Tedburn Tap Murder, after the execution of James Landick. James Mills enlisted in 83rd Regiment as an infantryman. He apparently was on his way to India before the Police took him into custody. When he was released from gaol, he deserted his regiment and was finally executed in October 1849.