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

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.--NOTTINGHAM, July 25,
CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr Justice Blackburn.)
TIIE FISKERTON MURDER.

Richard Parker, aged 29, was charged with th 3
wilful murder of his mother, Elizabeth Parka., at
Fiskerton, on tho 10th May last. Prisoner was also
che,rged with shooting his father with intent to
murder him.

Flann-Ah Burdon said she was servant in 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 be 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-
vant Coming to her house. She saw
the
is father and mother. Mrs Parker
girl,
prisoner
and
nr dd o
his
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, " 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.
Arai 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." Sho then 85w the prisoner and the pia-
sonar's father and blather come out of the house ;
w
the mother as trying
g 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,'6 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 Southwell 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 ground, It used to be kept loaded.
Witness found a quantity of powder and shot and
gave it to the police. Witness saw the prisoner the
same night, and said, " You have shot your mother,
and she, will be dead before you get to Southwell."
Prisoner answered, "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 injury on the head from falling off a
horse, and when ho had had drink he was not the
same man.

Elizabeth Birkett said that on the 29th March
prisoner came into her house. He fastened the
door and said, " ain't split." Witness said, A, Split
what ? " and he answered, " I have shot my mother
dead. Hide me. I shall be hanged." Witness
told him she had no place to hide him in, and he
went away.

the prisoner, who said,
Police Constable BArksby proved apprehending
I know that I did it ; it
was pure accident. Is my mother dead ?'' Pri-
soner asked witness several times whether they
hi
would hang
—al, as if so be should die like a
"
pig. The shot used by the prisoner was partridge
shot.

Mr Cooke, surgeon, said he had no doubt that
death bad resulted from the gun-shot wound.

Mr Sergeant O'Brien made an able speech for the
prisoner, after which the learned judge summed up.
The jury retired, and in a few minutes returned
a verdict of Wilful Murder, with a recommenda-
tion to mercy on account of the prisoner's being in
liquor.

The Judge—Prisoner, have you anything to say?
Prisoner—Yes, my lord. lum not guilty of wil-
ful murder. I had no intention of murder; it was
an accident.

The Judge—l quite agree with the jury. I firmly
believe that you fully intended to murder your
father as well as your mother. The recommenda-
tion of the jury I will forward to the proper quarter.
His lordship then passed sentence of death in the
usual form, and the prisoner was removed.

OXFORD CIRCUIT.—STAFFORD, July 25.
CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr Justice Shee.)
THE MURDER OF A POLICEMAN.

The four men who on Saturday were found Guilty
of the manslaughter of the policeman Lyons at
Willenhall, under circumstances already detailed,
but who had been tried for wilful murder were sen-
tenced—Thomas Lockley, who threw the brick-end
which gave the fatal blow, to eight years ; George
Lockley, his brother, to six years; John Edwards,
to six years ; and Joshua Stanley, who had been by
the jury recommended to mercy, to five years' penal
servitude. The fifth man, George Willetts, was
acquitted, and he remains to be tried on the charge
of stealing the policeman's truncheon.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—EXETEE, July 25.
In consequence of the continued illness of Mr
Justice Williams, Mr M. Smith, Q.C., tried pri-
soners in the Nisi Prins Court to-day.