Photo © Library of Congress (LOC), Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper

1st recorded murder trial

The Manhattan Well Murder

Description

The first recorded murder trial in America involved the disappearance and death of Gulielma “Elma” Sands in 1799. Levi Weeks, accused of the murder, was defended by Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Despite strong evidence against him, Weeks was acquitted after just five minutes of jury deliberation. The case became infamous, and many involved, including Hamilton, Burr, and Judge John Lansing, later faced tragic fates, leading to a belief in a curse. The well where Sands' body was found still exists under 129 Spring Street, New York.

Murdered, Dec 22, 1799

Related People & Organizations

Alexander Hamilton,Ezra Weeks leveraged the murder's connections to Burr, through his Manhattan Company, which owned the well where Sands’ body was found. He died as a result of a duel with Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr,Ezra Weeks, Levi’s influential brother, leveraged his connections to Hamilton for the construction of his mansion. Burr was forever tainted by his shooting of Hamilton, tried for treason in 1807, lost his daughter in a hurricane, suffered a terrible stroke, and died penniless on Staten Island.

John Lansing Jr.,In spite of the considerable evidence implicating Weeks, Judge John Lansing, citing Hamilton and Burr’s vigorous defense, instructed the jury to find Weeks not guilty. They did so after a mere five minutes of deliberation. Judge Lansing disappeared one night after leaving his hotel, never to be seen or heard from again.

Related Sites

Manhattan Company is founded-Manhattan Company founded by Burr, owned the well where Sands’ body was found.

Map View

129 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA

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