Philip Cross

Philip Cross (1825 – 10 January 1888) from Shandy Hall, Dripsey, County Cork, Ireland, was a physician convicted and hanged for the murder of his wife after an affair with his children's governess. The case was known in the late 19th century as "the Coachford Poisoning Case" as the house was on the road between the adjacent villages of Dripsey and Coachford. Background Cross was a retired British Army surgeon with the rank of major. He resided at Shandy Hall, with his wife Laura and six children. Aside from hunting and fishing, he rarely socialised, although his wife was quite popular. In 1886, Laura hired a 20-year-old governess named Effie Skinner, who had worked at a friend's home, to look after their children. Cross had a disparaging view of most women, and Laura did not think of anything being stirred up by Ms Skinner. Eventually, however, he seized Effie and kissed her. Effie was upset by this but remained in the household because she liked the children. Since she did not speak to Laura about the incident, Cross believed she accepted his feelings for her. Laura noticed his attentions to Effie and confronted her husband. Laura insisted Effie leave the household and Cross agreed. Cross convinced Effie that Laura had an unreasonable view of her and she should leave the household. Effie believed Cross and moved to Dublin. A correspondence began between the two using assumed names. Gradually, Effie actually did fall in love with Cross. He visited her in Dublin, where they lived there as husband and wife. According to Leonard Parry, Cross wanted to end his marriage but did not want to damage his social position with a divorce. Murder Within a short time of this incident, Laura became ill with stomach cramps after suffering vomiting and diarrhoea and thirst. Cross diagnosed typhoid (though Laura said to one friend, "Phil tells me that I have a disease of the heart.") and gave her medication for it. Cross acted as though he was deeply concerned about Laura's health. However, he did not call in any other doctor until the end, when he called in a cousin, Dr Godfrey of Broomhill, Dripsey. Her condition had deteriorated, and she died on 2 June 1887. Cross signed her death certificate (something of a rarity in Victorian murder cases involving physicians). This was followed by a speedy funeral.