The Sun. — 1848-03-10 (London, England)

ALDERSON.) VERDICT OF WILFUL MURDER AGAINST TWO POACUERS. William Thompson (97), William Dowson (28), and Joseph Old field (32), were severally charged with the wilful murder of John Shirley, whipper-in of the Duke of Cleveland. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Pashley appeared for the prosecution; and Mr. Blis► and Mr. Digby Seymour for the prisoners. Joseph Cotterell stated that he was game watch(.. to the Duke of Cleveland. On the 2d of February he was at the house of John Shirley, about half pee six o'clock in the evening. He left the house at half-past seven, in company with Shirley. At that time he heard the report of a gun, in the direction of the Willow Bed. The Willow Bed was the game preserve within Raby Park. Shirley was a whipperin. After hearing the shot we proceeded to the park, in the direction of the Willow Bed, when they heard another gun shot. That was about five minutes after the first shot. On hearing the second shot they went to the Bath Cottage, where witness resided, and, after remaining two minutes, they left, and went across the Bath Cover, in the di rection of Staindrop. There was a place called Marvin Car, and heard three shots. They then went on to where George Richardson lives, but he did not go with them, because he was ill. Witness had a stick, and Shirley got another at Richardson's. They then left Richardson to go to the Willow Beds, and when they got there they stood under a beech tree. They then saw two men approaching, who came up to within 10 or 20 yards of them, but they turned away to the right. They then followed the men, and came within three yards of them, when they saw other three men. Witness recognised the prisoner Thompson and Dowson. He had known them before. Thompson was nearest to Shirley, and Dowson next to him. The other men stood more to the right. He did not know any other of the men at that time. Thompson had a gun with him, and Thompson said, " I will shoot, 1 will shoot." Dowson said, " Stand back, or I will fire." Before the words were well out of Dowson's mouth, Thompson fired. Thompson was about three yards off when he fired. Shirley instantly cried out, " I am shot through the arm," upon which he stepped forward and struck Thompson on the left side of the head with the stick which he had in his possession. Witness distinctly saw Thompson, who was the man who fired first. Dowson then fired two shots with his double-barrelled gun between witness and Shirley. He was about two yards from Shirley at that time. He then went forward to a man who had a stick, who attempted to strike, and he had a struggle with him, when the man cried out, "Come up and knock him down, because he could not get rid of witness, nor could do anything with him." While struggling he saw Shirley struck by Dowson with a gun, but Shirley got Dowson down. Thompson then knocked Shirley off Dowson with the butt end of his gun. Shirley then cried out, " Joe, for God's sake if you are not shot, come to my assistance, for I cannot survive many minutes." Several other witnesses were examined, after which the surgeon, who attended the deceased, deposed that death ensued from gunshot wounds. Mr. Buss addressed the jury two hours for the prisoners, after which, His LORDSHIP summed up, and the jury, after being absent half an hour, acquitted Oldfield, but returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against Thompson and Dowson, who were sentenced to be hanged.