10. Despite Hiding for a Year In Buckingham Palace, a Jury Decided that Edward Jones Had Committed no Crime
During the year in which he had lived in Buckingham Palace, young Edward Jones had spent the daylight hours hiding behind furniture, or inside the chimneys and in other spaces within the walls. When night fell, he came out to wander Buckingham’s halls. When he got hungry, he raided the kitchen, and when he got too dirty, he rinsed his shirt in the wash. During meetings between the queen and her ministers, he sometimes hid under the table and eavesdropped.
Jones’ story became a sensation. When he was sent to magistrate court a few days later, the hearing was packed with journalists and curiosity seekers, eager to find out more about the now-famous Boy Jones. The kid was a lovable tramp, and the fact that he had avoided detection while living in the royal palace for so long testified to his intelligence. He was tried for the crime of theft, plus trespass. After a weird trial, filled with laughter and incredulity, the jury found him not guilty. The police congratulated and wished him well, and hoped that he would put his talents to better use. Boy Jones thanked them and left.
