Mary Ann Cotton By: Megan Stocklas

Background 1. Mary was the first female serial killer in England. 8. First marriage in 1852 to William Mowbry. Had 5 children (4 died from gastric fever) Moved to England, had and lost 3 more children William died in 1865 due to intestinal problems and Mary collected all the insurance money. 9. Second marriage to George Ward Died 13 months after marriage due to intestinal problems. Mary collected the insurance money. 10. Third marriage to James Robinson Had 2 kids from previous marriages and their first daughter (all 3 died) James grew wary of Mary and kicked her out. Mary’s mother died on June 9, 1867. 12. Fourth marriage to Frederick Cotton Mary killed their child, his kid from a previous marriage, Frederick’s sister, and Frederick himself. 1. Mary was the first female serial killer in England. 2. Born on October 31, 1832 in Low Moorsley, County Durham. 3. Moved to a new school at age 8, found it difficult to make friends. 4. Soon after moving, her father died by falling down a mine shaft. 5. Her mother married George Stott and Mary didn’t get along with him. 6. Moved out at the age of 16 to become a nurse. 7. Came back home after 3 years and trained as a dressmaker.

Crimes She killed 21 of her close friends. Her motive was gain, as she would marry, kill and collect the insurance money, then repeat it again. She didn’t receive punishment until the murder of Charles Cotton (her final victim). She hanged in Durham prison on March 24, 1873.

Most Recent Crime Murder of Charles Edward Cotton Fourth husband’s son Killed in July 1872 Trial was in March 1873 Killed about 20 loved ones at this point. She was officially convicted of the murder of Charles Edward Cotton. The court of public opinion convicted her of many, many more deaths. 

Evidence When one of Mary’s few surviving stepchildren, Charles Cotton, died suddenly, word quickly spread around the neighborhood concerning people how Mary had lost 4 husbands and almost 12 children so suddenly over the previous two decades. Thomas Riley, an assistant coroner, was suspicious of the latest death and convinced the doctor to delay writing a death certificate until the circumstances could be investigated. Mary Ann’s first call after Charles' death was not the doctor’s but the insurance office. There, she discovered that no money would be paid out until a death certificate was issued. The doctor who attended Charles had kept samples, and tests showed his stomach contained arsenic. The deaths by her other loved ones were traced back to her.

Sentence In March of 1873 Mary Ann Cotton was put on trial.  She was officially convicted of the murder of Charles Edward Cotton. The court of public opinion convicted her of many, many more deaths Her trial lasted all of three days, upon which Mary was sentenced to death by hanging at the Durham Jail. Her execution did not go smoothly. The drop below the trap door was too short, which meant her neck never broke; Mary Ann jerked and twisted at the end of her rope until she choked to death.

Criminal Terms Testimony: A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law for evidence or proof. Arsenic poisoning: A condition caused by the ingestion, absorption or inhalation of dangerous levels of arsenic. Arsenic is a natural semi-metallic chemical that is found all over the world in groundwater. Exhumed: Dig out (something buried, especially a corpse) from the ground.

Quotes & Nickname Mary decided to hand Charles Edward over to the workhouse instead of poisoning him because her stock of arsenic ran out. When told that such was not possible without the parents also being admitted, she retorted, ‘I could have married again but for the child. But there, he won’t live long, he’ll go the way of all the Cotton family.’ -Mary The Times correspondent reported on 20 March: "After conviction the wretched woman exhibited strong emotion but this gave place in a few hours to her habitual cold, reserved demeanour and while she harbours a strong conviction that the royal clemency will be extended towards her, she staunchly asserts her innocence of the crime that she has been convicted of." Nickname: The Dark Angel or Lady Rotten

Cultural Reference Nursery rhyme sung after her hanging on March 24, 1873. Mary Ann Cotton -- She's dead and she's rotten! She lies in her bed With her eyes wide open. Sing, sing! "Oh, what can I sing? Mary Ann Cotton is tied up with string." Where, where? "Up in the air -- selling black puddings a penny a pair.“ The book Mary Ann Cotton: Britain's First Female Serial Killer by David Wilson Television drama called Dark Angel based on Mary’s story Trailer: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/tvshowbiz/video-1349041/Joanne-Froggatt-stars-Mary-Ann-Cotton-drama-Dark-Angel.html

Sociological Theory of Deviance I believe that the differential association theory best explains Mary Ann Cotton’s deviant and criminal behavior. This theory states that their criminal behavior is learned in interactions from others, such as family. Growing up, Mary was abused by her father. Her mother remarried a man whom Mary did not get along with. It wasn’t till after his death and her mom’s remarriage when she started killing. Mary also had to switch schools at a young age and had a difficult time making friends. Her desire to kill has never been known, but many believe her family situation was a large part of it. Mary murdered more than 20 loved ones and she was never caught until her last victim. This is reinforcement to her that this deviant act is acceptable. Mary was able to comfortably kill her victims and then reap the insurance money. Arsenic was not traced very easily back then and Mary knew she wouldn’t be questioned. In conclusion, the differential association theory describes that Mary committed these crimes from the influence of her father and from the events from her early childhood.