The Atherstone Times. — 1879-07-19 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

MURDER OF A POLICEMAN AT DERBY. Late - • of the  , on Saturday afternoon last an officer Derby Borough Police, named Moss, was shot tni killed by a young man named Gerald isfatawartles, Whose father was a magistrate for the county WI BUD ford; and another officer, named Price, who mas seriously injured at the same Ohne, now lies in the Derhyl nfirmary. Police-constable Shirley was on duty in Victoria-street, when he observed a pony sad trap which were being driven recklessly ia the direction of Warwick. A gentlemanly-dreweed U&SII was the driver, and he was seconipairied by a fashionably-attired young woman. named Annie Green, who lives in Bradshaw-street. The officer followed them up Friargate, but was unable to come up with them. They continued their reckless driving along Friargate and Ashbourne-road, but were eventually overtaken near the Travellers' Rest. Shirley then discovmed that they were both drunk. A cab was procured mi the couple wore taken as prisoners to the lock-up by Couutables Clamp and Moss. Shirley followed with the pony and trap, which he left in St. James-street. He then went to the lock-up, carrying the parcels which were found in the trap. On arriving at the police-station preparations were made to search the prisoners in the reception-room. The woman was about being searched by Mrs. Spittey, to whom site offered a violent resistance. At this moreent the male prisoner, without any one perceiving his action, moved backwards a yard or so, pulled a five-chambered revolver from his inside coat pocket, and saying " Wo will have no more of this," fired rapidly three consecutive shots. One of the balls entered the arm of Constable Price, a second went through his helmet and embedded itself three-quarters of an inch in the entrance door to the cells; the third bullet lodged in Moss's right side, and he stumbled sideways. However, he got on to his feet again on hearing another shot tired, and was assisting his fellow-offieers when he fell on the floor of the room. The murderer was thereupon secured. The cab which conveyed the prisoners to the lock-up was used to take the wounded officers to the infirmary. Price was found to be suffering from a bullet wound in the left arm. None of the main arteries had been severed, but the poor fellow, however, was almost prostrate from loss of blood. From the time of Moss's admission no hopes were entertained of his recovery. It was found that the bullet had penetrated and lodged in the right lung. Dr. Gisborne Taylor and other medical gentlemen did all that human skill could do. The poor fellow, who was only 28 years of age, expressed a wish to see his parents and friends, and he remained conscious until after their arrival. In the meantime the magistrate's clerk had been summoned, and Mees's dying depositions were taken before a borough magistrate. Moss immediately afterwards became unconscious and remained so during the whole of Saturday night. He gradually sank, until about ten minutes to one o'clock the following afternoon, when be expired in the presence of the Chief Constabl3, Superintendent McTernan and the various officials associated with the infirmary. When the prisoners were sufficiently sober, about eleven o'clook in the evening, they were formerly charged, the man with being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and trap, and with a murderous assault upon the police officers. The Chief of the Police explained to the young man the serious nature of the charge, and in reply he said, "He hoped nothing serious would occur." He had been staying at the Royal Hotel for several days, and on Saturday morning he pawned his watch to enable him to pay his bill. When apprehended only 114. was found upon him. After some inquiry it was ascertained that the prisoner's name was Gerald Mainwaring, that he is 24 or 25 years of age, and it the son of a late county magistrate for Staffordshire. He was educated for the church, but subsequently led a dissolute life and eventually emigrated to America, where he spent three or four years. Lately he returned to England, and he had been living in dissipation in Derby for several days. On examining the packets in the trap the police found some 700 or 800 cartridges of the size taken by the revolver. Te fact :of the policeman's death was communicated te prisoner, and he was formally charged with murder. He simply expressed his sorrow.