Smith first examined the case files in 2021 at the National Archives in West London before reaching out to Garbutt's campaign organizers. He connected with Garbutt through a friend listed on an advocacy website and began communicating via the eMates prison messaging service. Over the course of their correspondence, Garbutt arranged for police reports, witness statements, and trial transcripts to be delivered to Smith. Emergency responders originally noted that rigor mortis had set in hours before the alleged robbery, contradicting Garbutt's version of events.
Key points
Emergency responders noted signs of rigor mortis that suggested Diana Garbutt died hours…: Emergency responders noted signs of rigor mortis that suggested Diana Garbutt died hours prior to the reported robbery.
Campaigners, childhood friends, and local residents maintain an online platform asserting…: Campaigners, childhood friends, and local residents maintain an online platform asserting Garbutt's innocence despite his criminal conviction.
Robin Garbutt coordinated with author Edward Abel Smith to share official police reports…: Robin Garbutt coordinated with author Edward Abel Smith to share official police reports and trial transcripts during their six-month correspondence.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
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Edward Abel Smith | Longreads | November 3, 2026 | 5,962 words (21 minutes)
On a sunny Saturday morning earlier this year, I was driving my two daughters to the playground through patchy phone signal when a voicemail notification appeared. Pressing play impatiently, an upbeat voice with a north of England accent bellowed through the car’s loudspeaker: “Hi Ed. I’ve just been flicking through The Times, and I’ve seen you’ve been chosen as their book of the week. Bloody well done, my friend! I am super proud.”
I was stunned. My book, A Hateful Decision, about Churchill’s attack on the French navy during the Second World War, had just been published. Being named The Times Book of the Week was, without question, the highlight of my writing career. But the way this news was delivered felt profoundly weird. The man who had congratulated me—referring…
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