The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-26 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—NOTTINGEIAM, July 25.
CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr Justice Blackburn.)
THE FISKERTON MURDER.
Richard Parker, aged 29, was charged with the
wilful murder of his mother, Elizabeth Parker, at
Fiskerton, on the 10th May last. Prisoner was also
charged with shocting his father with intent to
murder him.
Hannah Burdon said she was servant is the pri-
soner's parents' family. Prisoner was a butcher.
On the 27th of March he asked his mother if he
could go to Sheffield by an excursion train. She
said he could if he liked, and he went away on
Monday morning. Witness next saw him on
Tuesday night whilst getting her tea along with
Mrs. Parker. Prisoner came into the room, and his
mother asked him to sit down, but he would not.
His father came in at the time, and prisoner turned
round and began to swear at him. Witness went
out of the room to the back kitchen, and her mas-
ter stayed near the door. Prisoner came into the
kitchen directly afterwards, and witness fetched
Mrs. Haines, a neighbour. Witness remained in
the street a short time, and heard two reports of a
gun. _

Mary Haines said that she remembered the ser
vent girl, Burden, coming to her house. She saw
the prisoner and his father and mother. Mrs Parker
had hold of the prisoner, and said he should not
fight his father. They were in the garden near the
house. Witness persuaded Mr. Parker to go away,
and he went to the stable door. Prisoner went into
the house and returned with a gun. Mrs. Parker
said, " Oh dear, he's got a gun, and he's going to
shoot." She then came towards witness. Prisoner
put the gun to his shoulder and pointed it to where
witness was. Witness, however, got out of the
way before the gun was discharged. In a few
seconds the other barrel went off, and on wit-
ness turning round she saw Mrs. Parker lying
on her left side. She never stirred
or spoke.
The top of her head was scalped, and wit-
ness thought she was dead. Prisoner passed his
mother and witness in the yard and went to-
wards the Trent very rapidly. Witness said, ,s Oh,
Tom, you've shot your mother dead." He muttered
something, and went away. The father soon after-
wards came up bleeding. Mrs Parker was then
taken into the house and a surgeon sent for.
Ann Rhodes was near Parker's house at the time
and heard prisoner's father say to him,
" You are a
rogue, a villain, and a thief to me—get out of my,
house." She then saw the prisoner and the pri-
soner's father and inother come out of the house ;
the mother was trying to separate the father from
the son, the two latter squaring fists. Mrs Parker
said to the prisoner, " You shall not fight your
father." When they had done fighting they went
from the garden to the yard, and shortly afterwards
witness heard two reports of a gun, and immediately
after heard prisoner say, " I have shot my mother,
and I shall die like a pig on the scaffold.°
Samuel Foster heard two shots fired through
Parker's window. The last shot struck the stable
wall, and as the father was going to the stable he
was struck on the head. Witness, along with the
constable Barksby, captured the prisoner and took
him to Soathwell House of Correction.
Thomas Coke assisted in carrying Mrs Parker
into the house. The father said to the prisoner,
" What have you done this for ?" The prisoner
answered, " Yon should not aggravate me so." The
gun lay on the grsund, It used to be kept loaded.
Witness found a caantitv of powder and shot and
gave it to the polite. Witness saw the prisoner the
same night, and said," You have shot your mother,
and she will be dcad before you get to Southwell."
Prisoner answerer, "It was a mere accident, and I
shall die on the scaffold." He was very tipsy.
By Mr O'Brien—Some years ago the prisoner
received an injwy on the head from falling off a
horse, and when le had had drink he was not the

same man.
Elizabeth Biriett said that on the 29th March
prisoner came iito her house. He fastened the
door and said, " )on't split." Witness said, " Split
what ? " and he aaswered, " I have shot my mother
dead. Hide me I shall be hanged." Witness
told him she hal no place to hide him in, and he
went away.
Police ConstiQe Barksby proved apprehending
the prisoner, wh) said, "I know that I did it; it
was pure accidsat. Is my mother dead P" Pri-
soner asked witiess several tit Les whether they
would hang him as if so he should die like a -
pig. The shot u3ed by the prisoner was partridge
shot.

Mr Cooke, swgeon, said he had no doubt that
death had reaulte from the gunvolaot wound.