The Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Telegram. — 1877-03-09 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

FATHER AND DAUGHTER.  At the Manchestr Assizes on Tuesday, before Mr. Justice Manisty. Micheal henry Kelly. 53, was clouted with having at Manchester, on the 4th February, inflicted grevioas bodily harm upon his daughter, Charlotte Rally, with intent to murder her. Seale little time 11g., the prisoner brought his family from Ireland to Manchester in the hope of settling down in that city. He was, however, unfortunate enough not to find work, and at the tune of the occurrence in question he had obtained an order of admission to the Workhouse with the view of being sent back to Ireland. His daughter, the prosecutris, who is 18 years of age, had obtained employment in • warehouse in the city, and from the evidence it appeared she had • strong objection to going back to Ireland. On the 4th February the prisoner had not entered the workhouse, but was living at a house In Jepson's Court, Leigh-street. His daughter had left him in consequence of hie threats, and had slept for • night at the house of • neighbour. The prisoner had sought on several occasions to induce the trig to return to him and to his family, but she had resolutely refused to do so, and, being incensed by her repeated refusals, he took the opportunity an Sunday evening the 4th February, when she was near to him, to seize her and to cut her throat with • razor. Fortunately the wound wan not a very deep one, and so serious injury resulted. When taken into custody the primmer said that he meant to cut his daughter's throat, and "to sever her head from her bedy. He was sorry be had not done M." The prisoner spoke at length in his defence. He said be did not deny that he committed tho crime with which he was charged, but he was In such grief at the time as to be insensible to the nature of the act. Since her mother's death at Christmas, 1875. the prosecutriz had been to him a source of great annoj sure and disgrace. Her ilissonduct led him to give up • salary of £l5O • year, end to break up what might otherwise have been a happy home in Dublin, and to come over to this country; but her conduct was no better here, and at the Bine of this occurrence be bad resolved to return to Dublin with the object of placing his daughter in • penitentiary. To do this he sought the assistance of the Board of Osurdians, but prosecutrix left him, and took up her residence at the lowest kind of low houses in that city. His destitute condition and the conduct of his daughter reduced him to such a grief that he lost all control of mind, and thus committed the act with which he bad Wee charged. It was as pare a came of temporary insanity as ever came before that court, for he knew nothing of the act he had committed until four or five days afterwards. He implored the jury not to make his children fatherless as well as motherless by their verdict, and to bear in mind that if he was convicted he would be doubly punished, inasmuch that the pension he was in receipt of for 22 years' active service in the Royal Irish Constabulary would be taken from him. As a teetimony to his character, he produced to the jury a badge personally conferred upon him by the Duke of Ahercorn for valour during the Fenian rising, adding that he was credited with having greatly distinguished himself during those troublens times. .  The jury. at t.r being absent from court for some time, found prisoner guilty of wounding with intent to murder, but strongly recommended him to mercy on account of the great provocation he received. Ihe Judge, in posing sentence, said he would take care that the recommendation of the jury wee sent to the proper quarter, hut his duty was plain and clear, and he ought not to flinch from it. Tlse prisoner would be sentenced to penal servitude for the term of his natural life.