Silence in court for a re-run of murder trial at Stafford theatre
A theatre group will re-enact the trial of a man convicted of murder at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.
Creative Arts Theatre will play out what happened to John Hewitt in a former courtroom on March 27 and 28.
Audience members can choose whether to sit in the jury box, the well of the court, or in the public gallery at Shire Hall.
The trial was recently part of a TV programme ‘Murder Mystery and My Family’.
John Hewitt was convicted of the murder of Cannock farmer William Masfen, who was shot dead after catching Hewitt poaching on his land. Hewitt pleaded that the shooting was an accident, and that the gun had gone off during a struggle.
Evidence was shown in court that the shot had been fired from a distance and there was no way that the wound could have been inflicted at close range. Hewitt was executed in August 1893.
Ken Tillett, owner of Creative Arts Theatre, said: “Looking at the evidence the juries will be asked whether they would have found him guilty. It’s just as if the court trial is actually taking place.”
Tickets are available from the theatre’s box office on 01785 619619.
