Widnes Examiner. — 1890-08-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

THE EARLESTOWN TRAGEDY.  PRISONER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL  Continuing our account from page 3, we have to recor that yesterday the prisoner Thomas Mercer was again brought up at the Newton Town Hall, before Mr. T. J. Gillespie and Mr. T. 11. Pearson, on a charge of wilfully murdering Thomas Kay. It was generally expected that the resumed magisterial inquiry would be held at the Earlestown police station, but the police authorities decided to remove the prisoner to Newton. He was accordingly conveyed to the Newton police station about three o'clock on Friday morning, in order to avoid any excitement or commotion on the part of the public. The proceedings at the Town Hall commenced about halfpast eleven. The fact was not generally known, and very few persons, with the exception of witnesses, were present. Superintendent Weir prosecuted, and the prisoner was again undefended. Without any preliminary statement being made, the evidence was taken. The prisoner took very little or no interest in the proceedings, and to every question if he had anything to ask the witnesses, he replied "no." The first witness called was John Hatton, grocer and prevision dealer, Earlestown, who repeated his evidence given at the inquest to the effect that on Wednesday, the 23rd ult., he lent deceased the axe produced. There were then no stains upon it. Thomas Singleton, a carter, residing in High-st., • Newton, was next called,and he also repeated his former statements as to hearing a cry of "Oh," and seeing the prisoner strike deceased on the head with an axe. He gave an alarm, and he saw prisoner running away. Thie man Kay was found lying unconscious with severe cuts on his head.  Thomas Newton, a labourer, who also gave evidence at the inquest, corroborated his former statements. John O'Neill, a slater, was the next witness, and he again stated that he saw the prisoner lying in some tall grass and thistles near the old Sankey paper mill. He shook the prisoner and told him to get up. Prisoner I asked "What's to do," and witness replied " I'll show you what's to do." • William Moses, a new witness, was then called. He I said he was a master joiner, and lived in Chemicalat., Earle.stown. He was emPloyed:by Mr. Bella, and was in charge of the workmen in the demolition of the old paper mill. During the time the men had been pulling the mill down, he had seen the prisoner about the premises several times, but he had always seemed to evade him and to keep out of his way. The prisoner had never applied to him for any employment. On the forenoon of the day in question, he saw the prisoner running through a passage and out of the gate. He ran from the direction in which the deceased was working. Witness went to the place, and saw deceased lying on a plank with his head "battered in" and bleeding. He stayed with the deceased until the arrival of Dr. Valentine.  Dr. Valentine, of Earlestown, and Dr. E. E. Bowden, resident surgeon at Warrington Infirmary, spoke to the nature of the injuries inflicted on deceased's head; and Police-sergeant Longworth and Police-constable Hughes repeated their evidence as to the apprehension of the prisoner. Superintendent Weir also gave evidence that after the death of Kay he cautioned the prisoner, and said the charge against him would be altered to wilful murder. The prisoner made no reply.—ln reply to the Clerk, Superintendent Weir added that that concluded the case. The prisoner was then formally charged and cautioned by the magistrates, and on being asked if he had anything to say, be somewhat indifferently replied "No." He was then committed for trial at the Liverpool Assins, The proceedings terminated at 1.15.