The Sun. — 1844-12-19 (London, England)

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 prosecution. 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 Cannonstreet, 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 together. 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 singing " 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 falling 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 addressed 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