The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-12-19 00:00:00

TRIAL FOR MURDER AT LIVERPOOL.

John 31'erave, Mies Quinn, Michael Mullen, and Peter
Campbell were tried, before Mr. Justice Mellor, at the
Liverpool Assizes, charged with the wilful murder of Richard
Morgan at Liverpool on the 3rd of August last.
Samuel Morgan, brother of the deceased, said that
on the evening of the 3rd August he met his brother
and Mrs. Morgan at the landing-stage, on their re-
turn from a holiday excursion to New Ferry. After
taking some refreshment at a public-house they were
walking up Tlthebarn-street, near the Lancashire and
Yorkshire Railer:7, when they raw the three pri-
soners standing at the corner of Lower Milk-street.
M'Crave came up deceased and asked him
for Bd. to get a quart of be.. Morgan said, "Where
do you work?" upon which M'Crave replied," I work
at knocking down men like you." The prisoner then
etruck Morgan a blow under the ear with his fist, and
Morgan fell across the footpath into the street. Wit-
ness then struck out in defence and knocked M'Crave
down. Mullen and Campbell then assaulted the
deceased by kicking him. They kicked him across I
the street, M'Crave following them and kicking him
also. Deceased's wife tried to save him by falling upon
him, bot Campbell kicked her off, and one of the
prisoners brew: himself upon Morgan and tried to choke
him. There were numbers of people about, hut they
did not interfe:e. except to restrain witness from
attemi,ting a rescue. In the meantime Morgan was
kicked across the street again. A cry was then raised of
"Hee, hey," and the pilsoners ran away. Witness
followed, but could not overtake them. Morgan was
picked up and taken to the dispensary. Later in the
evening witness saw Mullen in Vauxhall-road. He
accused him of having murdered his brother, and
struck him. Mullen ran away. Witness then re-
turned to Tithebarmstreet, and saw the thief, pd
Boners there. When they saw him they made off, but
he seized M'Crave, who, however, drew a knife and
escaped; hut still later witness saw him again, and
gave him in charge.-- John. Thomson, a waster
painter, who was passing at the time, corroborated the
st9count given of the su,:ault upon Morgan, and so also
lihd two other witnesses, one of whom said he did not
interfere lest he himself shoutd be killed.

The medical eiidence showed that bruises were
found upon the body, and that, though there was no
serious wound, death was caused by the 'shock to the
system. There WU a good deal of fat about the heart,
but otherwise the body was healthy.
The counsel for the defence urged that the evidence
was greatly exaggerated. and that there was a total
absence of motive and premeditation. They argued
that the offence 'night ?properly be reduced to man-
slaughter.

His Lordship summed up at great length, pointing
out the distinctions between murder and manslaughter,
and the Jury, after a short absence, found all three
prisoners Guilty of murder, but recommended Camp-
bell to mercy. Sentence of death was then passed,
and the prisoners, who manifested great emotion,
were taken to the cells.

--- -----
This case produced the greatest interest and excite-
ment in the town, and the building of St. Geerge's-hall
was beset with crowds of people during the whole day,
and till the return of the verdict, anxious, if possible,
to make their way into Court to learn in some way how
the case was going and what the verdict was likely
to be. The announcement of the sentence caused
great commotion.