The Green Bicycle Case was a British murder investigation and subsequent trial pertaining to the fatal shooting of Bella Wright near the village of Little Stretton, Leicestershire, England, on 5 July 1919. Wright was killed by a single bullet wound to the face.[1][2] The case takes its name from the fact that on the evening of her death, Wright had been seen cycling in the company of a man riding a green bicycle.[3][4]
Ronald Light, a 33-year-old mathematics teacher,[5] was the prime suspect in Wright's alleged murder. Light did not respond to an extensive media appeal to trace a man matching his description seen on the green bicycle,[6] and concealed his bicycle and revolver holster in a canal following Wright's death. Upon his arrest, Light initially denied, then admitted to being in the company of Wright shortly before her death,[6] although he consistently denied killing her. He was defended in court by Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC, who largely based his defence on the lack of a motive for Wright's death. Marshall Hall obtained Light's acquittal.[7]
The case would prove to be one of the UK's most celebrated and controversial murder cases of the 20th century,[8] with opinions varying among authors as to Light's guilt,[9] the actual motive behind any crime,[10] and the possibility of misadventure. The case has been described by one author as, "The most fascinating murder mystery of the century."[5]
- ^ Still Unsolved ISBN 1-85-480030-2 p. 32
- ^ "Bella Wright 'Green Bicycle' Murder Recreated in Leicestershire". BBC News. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- ^ Donahue (2007), passim.
- ^ Watson, Greig (8 July 2019). "The 'forgotten victim' of a 100-year-old murder mystery". BBC News.
- ^ a b Still Unsolved ISBN 1-85-480030-2 p. 35
- ^ a b On Trial for Murder ISBN 978-0-330-33947-6 p. 209
- ^ Donahue (2007), p. 68–69.
- ^ Chronicle of 20th Century Murder ISBN 978-0-425-14649-1 p. 83
- ^ Donahue (2007), p. 70.
- ^ Donahue (2007), pp. 73–74.