The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-19 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.--Liverpool, Dec. 16.
MURDER.—Thomas Shaw was indicted for the wilful
murder of Alice Nolan, at Manchester, by cutting her
throat.

Mr. Brandt and Mr. Whigham conducted the prose-
cution. The prisoner was defended by Mr. James, who
was assigned to him as counsel.
Mr. Brandt stated the case, and proceeded to call the
following witnesses :
James Kearsley, who stated that he lived in Cannon-
street, in Salford, and that Alice Nolan lived there for
from nine to ten months. She was there on Sunday,
the 7th of July. She left the house from half-past ten
to eleven. Witness saw her no more alive. Saw her
dead body on the Monday at the Rob Roy public-house.
Sarah Shepherd stated that she resided in Cork-street,
and knew the deceased, Alice Nolan. They worked to-
gether. Knew the prisoner. He visited the deceased.
He was courting her. On Sunday, the 7th of July,
Alice Nolan was at witness's house. She came up from
half-past ten to eleven in the morning. The prisoner
was there. After dinner they went out. When they
came back she came in first. He came in in about ten
minutes. She had tea. He did not have any. About
half-past nine she said she would help herself to some
bread and meat. He said he would have some too.
He took a mouthful of the bread and meat out of her
hand. They went out together shortly after. He came back
at about ten minutes or a quarter-past ten. As he came
down the yard he seemed to be dancing, and was sing-
ing " Jim along Jo." He said something, witness could
not tell what, and then she heard him say, " Here goes."
He seemed to make a catch at the latch, and the first
time he missed it. He tried the latch again, and opened
the door. He made one step into the house and fell on
his face. He lay with his arms under him. There was
Mood issuing from his throat. Witness made an alarm,
and tried to get him on his feet. He threw his hands
about. Witness said, " Oh, Tom, what have you been
doing this for ! Where is Alice ? Have you been fall-
ing out ?" He stared very earnestly at witness, and
began taking off his coat. He was gurgling in his
throat. Witness ran out, and went for a surgeon. There
was a surgeon in the house when she came back. When
the witness and the deceased came is after dinner she
was smiling. He was very pale, as if he were vexed.
Witness turned to her and said, "Alice, you have been
vexing him." He sat down beside her. She looked at
him and smiled. He crept towards her and laid his hand
upon her shoulder. She had not a bonnet. They ad-
dressed one another as Alice and Tom.
Cross-examined—When they came in between dinner
and tea time she went up to witness, put her hands
round witness's neck in a playful manner, and asked her
to go and wash herself. She played with her hands round
witness's neck a minute or two. When they went
out he jumped up hastily. They had been fondhng with
ens another. Witness's husband and the pnsoner
worked together. Witness understood the prisoner had
last his situation some days before. He had not been
drinking at the witness's house the night before. He
was out with vvitne,..'s husband for about ten minntoe.
The deceased and pi isener were together in the course
of Saturday evening. He had two glasses of beer.
Witness has known him about four months. Does not
know if he was in the habit of drinking. It was from
knowing the deceased ho came to witness's house.
Re-examined—When she put her hand on witness's
neck she played with it, and asked witness to go and
wash her. She had done so before. There was nothing
in it which induced witness to feel any alarm.
Martha Wilsoi, stated thet she knew the prisoner and
Alice Nolan. They came into witness's house about
half-past three. They remained about two hours and
a half. They seemed very comf•rtable. lie seemed
very fond of her. Witness went out with the deceased.
When they came back he was gone.
Cross-examined—The prisoner left about ten minutes
before her. 'Utley seemed very comfortable while they
were there. Witness's husband and the prisoner worked
together.
Hugh Broadhurst stated that he lived in Salford.
The prisoner on the Sunday came to his house to borrow.
a razor. He asked for a latherbox and razor to shave.
They were laid on the table, and witness told his wife to