in november 1827 william hare began a new career when an indebted lodger died on him by chance. he was paid £7.10/- (seven pounds &amp; ten shillings) for delivering the body to knox. now burke and his accomplice hare set about murdering tramps and drunks on a regular basis. after 16 more transactions, in what became known as the west port murders, on 2 november 1828 burke and hare were caught. the whole city were convulsed with horror, fed by ballads, broadsides and newspapers, at the terrible deeds of burke &amp; hare. hare turned king's evidence, and burke was hanged, dissected and displayed.