James Stephens: Murdered his wife, In Love With Her Niece , Executed

James Stephens was born about 1821 in Ireland to John Stephens (1775-1875) & Isabella (1785-1842). Married Sophie Bell 31 July 1846 in Ireland. They came to America and settled in New York City.


It was also proved he mixed arsenic with the brady.




https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45375018/james_stephens/





He was executed 3 Feb 1860

Here is a speech by John W Ashmead addressing the court. See link below.





 https://www.loc.gov/resource/llst.018/?sp=5


James was a mean man he beat his wife. Her nieces Fannie & Sophia Bell were living with them. He falls in love with Sophia but she was in love with someone else and was going to get married. So after James poisoned his wife and she dies. After she was in the ground and he hears that Sophia was not interested in him and was getting married he mailed an anonymous letter to humiliate her and ruin her reputation. 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45331368/james_stephens/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45374797/james_stephens/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45331368/james_stephens/


I wonder what ever happened to Sophia & Fannie Bell?


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