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The James Yates Murders refer to a tragic occurrence in 1781 in which James Yates brutally murdered his family, consisting of his wife and his four children, on claims that a voice was instructing him to do so. ==History== In late December 1781 and in the first months of 1782, a few newspapers ran articles referencing the James Yates Murders. Although most of these articles provided only a few lines, they serve as lasting evidence of the crime. James Yates was born in West-Chester County. A source from ''The Pennsylvania Packet'' claimed to have spoken to various neighbors, all of whom described Yates as someone they would never have expected to commit such an atrocity. Before the incident, he had appeared as healthy and sane. Yates had been a member of the religious community, the Society of Shakers. On the night of the murders, he “was tempted to this horrid deed by the spirit”. This temptation resulted in the murder of his four children and his wife. Three out of the four children were murdered in the house, while his wife, with the youngest child on top of her, were found on the nearby road. Mrs. Yates was likely attempting to escape. Yates’s weapon of choice was believed to be a club. Not only was a club found in the road alongside his wife and child, but his victims had wounds to the head. Many of Yates’s animals were also killed, such as his cattle, a dog and two horses. The following morning, Yates went to his parents’ house, and his neighbors reported that he was in the nude. He disclosed what he had done to his parents, but they did not believe in such nonsense until arriving at their son’s home and viewing the bodies themselves. Yates was confused and seemed to be in a state of madness as he claimed at first that the bodies were not those of his family and felt that his now deceased wife was an Indian.〔 He also professed that his actions were acceptable and appeared to have little regret. His brother was present that day and was able to control his brother, so Yates was not restrained.〔 He was eventually imprisoned in Albany.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「James Yates murders」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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