Patterson, Nan (c. 1882–)

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Patterson, Nan (c. 1882–)

American dancer and actress tried for murder. Name variations: Nan Randolph Patterson. Born c. 1882; married.

Was a young dancer-actress in popular musical Floradora; though married, began an affair with Caesar Young, a wealthy book-maker, who was also married; divorced her husband and was bankrolled by Young; was traveling in a hansom cab with Young on the day he was to leave for an overseas tour with his wife (June 4, 1904), but Young never left the cab alive (he died of a gunshot wound); claimed Caesar had shot himself, but was charged with murder; saw 1st trial result in mistrial, the 2nd in hung jury (Dec 1904); released after jury was deadlocked in 3rd trial (April 1905). Patterson's case generated enormous press; because of a sympathetic press, public support was in Patterson's favor and thousands cheered her eventual release.

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