The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-13 00:00:00

MURDER AT IVOR7HALLERTON.

Johnson Metcalfe, who stood charged with the wilful
murder of William Parker at Northallerton, in the North
Riding, on or about the 20th of January last, was tried on
Friday at York before Justice Mellor. Mr. Maule opened
the case. He said that the prisoner was a clockmaker, who
in January last resided at Northallerton. The deceased
man William Parker, as well as a companion named James
Todd, a weaver, residing at the same period at Brompton,
which is nearly two miles from Northallerton. On Saturday,
Jan. 25, the two latter persons visited Northallerton, and
went into the Golden Lion. Here they stayed drinking
until 5 minutes to 12 o'clock, when they left to go home,
Parker being apparently sober and Todd drunk. At a
place called Fawcett's Corner, they came upon the prisoner
Metcalfe. Todd put a question to Metcalfe as to the time
of the night, which, from the latter bearing the soubriquet
of Clock ,y, was offensive to him, and he began to swear.
Todd replied " I has asked a civil question; you might give
me a civil answer." He again swore, and Todd said "If
you continue to use such language, I shall have a policeman
brought to you." Metcalfe thereupon answered " Police I
I'll soon settle you; I have something in the house. I'll
soon settle you," He walked towards his house, which was
about 70 yards off, muttering something. Todd and the
deceased followed in the same direstion, and after passing the
place where the prisoner had entered, Metcalfe returned
his hands, which he elevated
into the street, with a gun in
at the men, and fired. Directly after arker exclaimed,
,'Joe, I'm shot ;" whilst Todd's coat sleeve being hit by
the shot was set on fire. Todd put the sparks out, and
then ran at the prisoner, with whom he struggled. He
told him that he had shot Parker, to which the prisoner re-
plied "Yes, I have another barrel which I'll give you."
Todd fearing he would do what he threatened, pushed the
barrel of the gun from him and ran to the police station.
Subsequently, the deceased was found in the street in a
pool of blood. He was insensible, and was at once removed
\
to the Buck Inn, where it was found that the left arm was
so shattered, that imputation was necessary. B e gradually
sank after the performance of this operation, and died on
Sunday evening. Evidence in support of this statement
having been called, Mr. Price addressed the jury for the
defence. He admitted that the deceased had died from a
gunshot wound. This, however, was all which had been
proved, as the remainder of the case was simply a string of
suggestions and inferences, which came principally from the
mouth of the prisoner Todd, upon whose word his previous
character would not justify them in placing the slightest
reliance. He referred to the want of concealment on the part
of the prisoner after the shooting, and to his expressions
made to the policeman, that he had only done it in self-de-
fence, and then set np the hypothesis, that when Metcalfefromit
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spoke in the highest terms of the prisoner's bearing throurigh-
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out a term of upwards of 40 years. The jury found the p
soner guilty of manslaughter. Sentence was deferred. The
prisoner several times during the trial was deeply and
visibly affected.
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