The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1874-12-19 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

TRIAL FOR MURDER AT LIVERPOOL.  John 31'erave, Mies Quinn, Michael Mullen, and Peter Campbell were tried, before Mr. Justice Mellor, at the Liverpool Assizes, charged with the wilful murder of Richard Morgan at Liverpool on the 3rd of August last. Samuel Morgan, brother of the deceased, said that on the evening of the 3rd August he met his brother and Mrs. Morgan at the landing-stage, on their return from a holiday excursion to New Ferry. After taking some refreshment at a public-house they were walking up Tlthebarn-street, near the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railer:7, when they raw the three prisoners standing at the corner of Lower Milk-street. M'Crave came up deceased and asked him for Bd. to get a quart of be.. Morgan said, "Where do you work?" upon which M'Crave replied," I work at knocking down men like you." The prisoner then etruck Morgan a blow under the ear with his fist, and Morgan fell across the footpath into the street. Witness then struck out in defence and knocked M'Crave down. Mullen and Campbell then assaulted the deceased by kicking him. They kicked him across I the street, M'Crave following them and kicking him also. Deceased's wife tried to save him by falling upon him, bot Campbell kicked her off, and one of the prisoners brew: himself upon Morgan and tried to choke him. There were numbers of people about, hut they did not interfe:e. except to restrain witness from attemi,ting a rescue. In the meantime Morgan was kicked across the street again. A cry was then raised of "Hee, hey," and the pilsoners ran away. Witness followed, but could not overtake them. Morgan was picked up and taken to the dispensary. Later in the evening witness saw Mullen in Vauxhall-road. He accused him of having murdered his brother, and struck him. Mullen ran away. Witness then returned to Tithebarmstreet, and saw the thief, pd Boners there. When they saw him they made off, but he seized M'Crave, who, however, drew a knife and escaped; hut still later witness saw him again, and gave him in charge.-- John. Thomson, a waster painter, who was passing at the time, corroborated the st9count given of the su,:ault upon Morgan, and so also lihd two other witnesses, one of whom said he did not interfere lest he himself shoutd be killed.  The medical eiidence showed that bruises were found upon the body, and that, though there was no serious wound, death was caused by the 'shock to the system. There WU a good deal of fat about the heart, but otherwise the body was healthy. The counsel for the defence urged that the evidence was greatly exaggerated. and that there was a total absence of motive and premeditation. They argued that the offence 'night ?properly be reduced to manslaughter.  His Lordship summed up at great length, pointing out the distinctions between murder and manslaughter, and the Jury, after a short absence, found all three prisoners Guilty of murder, but recommended Campbell to mercy. Sentence of death was then passed, and the prisoners, who manifested great emotion, were taken to the cells.  --- ----This case produced the greatest interest and excitement in the town, and the building of St. Geerge's-hall was beset with crowds of people during the whole day, and till the return of the verdict, anxious, if possible, to make their way into Court to learn in some way how the case was going and what the verdict was likely to be. The announcement of the sentence caused great commotion.