General · 8 July 2026
King Charles changes Ruth Ellis's 1955 death sentence to life
Ruth Ellis's family has received official recognition that her case involved a historical injustice. King Charles, acting on government advice, changed her 1955 death sentence to life imprisonment on Wednesday after evidence she experienced domestic abuse and coercive, controlling behaviour. Four grandchildren made the application, while her sister sought a reduced murder verdict more than 20 years earlier.
Reported by Reuters · How we write briefs