Man Who Started #TheDress Controversy Tried Killing His Wife

Kelly Coffey-Behrens
·4 min read
White and gold dress vs the black and blue dress
X | @DNidorina

#TheDress debate took over the internet in 2015, and nearly 10 years later, the man who started the entire thing pleaded guilty to attacking his wife.

The dress belonged to the Mother of the Bride, but little did she know it would divide the world.

White And Gold Or Black And Blue?

A photo of a dress circulated online, but people couldn't agree on its color. Some saw it as blue and black, while others saw it as white and gold.

The debate became a global sensation, but there is a science behind it. After the world was divided, scientists revealed that factors like the lighting in the photo and variations in color perception influenced what people saw.

Those who claimed the dress was blue and black were victorious in the end. Scientific analysis confirmed the dress's colors and said the photo's lighting was believed to be the main reason for the perceived color variations.

The Science Behind The Dress Debate

According to scientists, our brains perceive things as having a consistent color despite changes in lighting. For example, a white shirt appears white under sunlight or indoor lights because our brains automatically adjust for the lighting difference.

So, when looking at the viral dress photo, researchers say it lacked clear lighting cues as the background was gray, and the dress was lit up by an unknown light source. This ultimately confused our brains' color constancy mechanisms.

Man Who Started The Dress Debate Pleads Guilty

Keir Johnston, the man who started the debate, has now been sentenced to jail for trying to strangle his wife.

According to documents obtained by PEOPLE, the 38-year-old was indicted on assault charges stemming from a domestic violence incident on March 6, 2022. According to the documents, he admitted to pinning his wife to the ground and sitting on her.

The indictment also claims that Keir strangled his wife by placing his hands around her neck, which caused her to have difficulty breathing. He also made death threats and held out a knife during the assault.

During the attack, Keir reportedly said, "Somebody is going to die," which was read in court, per United Kingdom's The Guardian. His wife was able to dial for help and said, “My husband is trying to kill me," according to the report.

“There is no permanent police presence on the island, and she was in a situation where she felt trapped," prosecutor Chris Macintosh told the judge.

What Prompted The Assault?

During the trial, it was alleged that the wife went against Keir's demands regarding a job interview, prompting the argument. According to Macintosh, Keir said that he was going to leave her" and "she went outside the property to stop him leaving."

"He followed her and pinned her to the ground. He placed both knees on her arms, so she was unable to move. He then began strangling her with both his hands," he continued. “She was able to scream. She feared for her life and believed Johnston intended to kill her. He was very forceful."

Keir Johnson Is Convicted

The judge told Keir, “I have no need to tell you that this is a serious and violent offense. You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her."

“I am afraid, Mr Johnston, that your status has now changed, you have been convicted of a very serious crime and you will be remanded meantime," the judge continued.