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The X Trials - Strange Cases of Law and the Supernatural

The English legal system is traditionally viewed as a symbol of rational thought, rarely engaging with supernatural elements. Yet, throughout history, individuals have held strong beliefs in various eerie and unsettling creatures, ranging from extraterrestrials to zombies. These convictions have occasionally driven people to commit unusual and harmful acts. When such cases reach courtrooms, they are subjected to the same rigorous examination as any other legal matter. The law has thus encountered peculiar scenarios, including accusations of witchcraft involving wartime espionage and instances where ghosts were said to solve their own murders.

Naomi Ryan will explore some of the most bizarre legal cases in history, blending the Fortean with forensic approaches. These cases reveal how the bizarre is scrutinized by legal professionals and how the state investigates the strange. Among the topics covered will be the Old Bailey’s role in the final witchcraft trial, the possibility of a ghost solving its own murder, and the intriguing link between the BBC and a gruff, furry demon named Gef.