The Sun. — 1862-03-13 (London, England)

MURDER AT IVOR7HALLERTON.  Johnson Metcalfe, who stood charged with the wilful murder of William Parker at Northallerton, in the North Riding, on or about the 20th of January last, was tried on Friday at York before Justice Mellor. Mr. Maule opened the case. He said that the prisoner was a clockmaker, who in January last resided at Northallerton. The deceased man William Parker, as well as a companion named James Todd, a weaver, residing at the same period at Brompton, which is nearly two miles from Northallerton. On Saturday, Jan. 25, the two latter persons visited Northallerton, and went into the Golden Lion. Here they stayed drinking until 5 minutes to 12 o'clock, when they left to go home, Parker being apparently sober and Todd drunk. At a place called Fawcett's Corner, they came upon the prisoner Metcalfe. Todd put a question to Metcalfe as to the time of the night, which, from the latter bearing the soubriquet of Clock ,y, was offensive to him, and he began to swear. Todd replied " I has asked a civil question; you might give me a civil answer." He again swore, and Todd said "If you continue to use such language, I shall have a policeman brought to you." Metcalfe thereupon answered " Police I I'll soon settle you; I have something in the house. I'll soon settle you," He walked towards his house, which was about 70 yards off, muttering something. Todd and the deceased followed in the same direstion, and after passing the place where the prisoner had entered, Metcalfe returned his hands, which he elevated into the street, with a gun in at the men, and fired. Directly after arker exclaimed, ,'Joe, I'm shot ;" whilst Todd's coat sleeve being hit by the shot was set on fire. Todd put the sparks out, and then ran at the prisoner, with whom he struggled. He told him that he had shot Parker, to which the prisoner replied "Yes, I have another barrel which I'll give you." Todd fearing he would do what he threatened, pushed the barrel of the gun from him and ran to the police station. Subsequently, the deceased was found in the street in a pool of blood. He was insensible, and was at once removed \ to the Buck Inn, where it was found that the left arm was so shattered, that imputation was necessary. B e gradually sank after the performance of this operation, and died on Sunday evening. Evidence in support of this statement having been called, Mr. Price addressed the jury for the defence. He admitted that the deceased had died from a gunshot wound. This, however, was all which had been proved, as the remainder of the case was simply a string of suggestions and inferences, which came principally from the mouth of the prisoner Todd, upon whose word his previous character would not justify them in placing the slightest reliance. He referred to the want of concealment on the part of the prisoner after the shooting, and to his expressions made to the policeman, that he had only done it in self-defence, and then set np the hypothesis, that when Metcalfefromit rear nc t ee rd, ge whontl him,em aduring called which a number the a. s tToh echlae spoke in the highest terms of the prisoner's bearing throurighout a term of upwards of 40 years. The jury found the p soner guilty of manslaughter. Sentence was deferred. The prisoner several times during the trial was deeply and visibly affected. ___ .