The Atlas Obscura Podcast · Thursday, August 6, 2026
In 1846, a man named James Woods confessed to the murder of Mary Rogers, claiming he committed the act in a drunken rage. He was convicted and sentenced to death, but hours before his execution, he recanted his confession, stating he made it up for attention, leaving the case unsolved once again.
“In 1846, a man named James Woods confessed to killing Mary. He claimed he'd done it in a drunken rage.”
“But then, just hours before his scheduled execution, he recanted his confession. He said he'd made it up just to get attention.”