The Free James Titus Project

04/09/2026

In the early hours of April 9, 1886, Tillie Smith, an 18-year-old domestic who lived and worked at Centenary Collegiate Institute, was r***d and strangled. Most people still think the janitor did it.

The murder of Tille Smith not only shocked Victorian Hackettstown, it quickly became a sensational, closely followed trial covered by many major market newspapers, including New York City, Trenton and Philadelphia. The papers carried the details of the story as it unfolded, and it was this sensation...

01/23/2026

They did this to James Titus too.

Guardian analysis shows images are the same, with Nekima Levy Armstrong looking composed in original but sobbing after alteration

09/18/2024

Just across the street from where Tillie Smith and James Titus are buried.

Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow Spotted Filming 'Happy Gilmore 2' At Hackettstown Golf Course "Happy Gilmore 2" has shut down Hackettstown. Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow in Hackettstown filming "Happy Gilmore 2." Photo Credit: Laura Dicker Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow in Hackettstown filming "Happy Gilmore...

12/12/2023

A group of Hackettstown men organized themselves into a volunteer fire fighting group known as fire company Relief No. 2 in 1855. About this time they came into possession of an ancient piece of fire fighting apparatus called "The Relief".

11/08/2023

David Sparks, convicted of the 2006 murder of Gary Hall, was cleared Monday after the DA's Office and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project used previously undisclosed police files to show his innocence.

09/25/2023

An image of James Titus, who was convicted of the 1866 murder of Tillie Smith in Hackettstown. Story Written By Todd Petty Regardless of whether you believe in ghosts, Hackettstown residents have been aware of the presence of Tillie Smith...

03/15/2023

A review found that Sidney Holmes and his car were likely misidentified at the time of his arrest and conviction.

02/23/2023

Amazing.

The official site of the SHOWTIME Original Series The 12th Victim. Find out about new episodes, watch previews, go behind the scenes and more.

12/21/2022

INDEPENDENCE — A psychic who investigated the 127-year-old murder of Tillie Smith on the Centenary College campus is now pointing the finger at a different man from the one who spent 19 years in pris…

10/23/2022

It's too bad that James Titus doesn't have any family left to appeal to the producers of this show to look into his case.