The North-Eastern Weekly Gazette. — 1890-12-13 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

THE MIDDLESBROUGH SHOOTING  CASE.  THE TRIAL AT YORK ASSIZES. At the York Assizes on Monday—before Mr Justice Lawrenoe--Jno. Carter (39), 'legman, of Middlesbrough, was indicted on a charge of having fired a reirolver at his landlady, Mrs Hannah Burton, with intent to murder her, on the 13th October. The facts of the ease were fully reported at the time the offence was committed. Mrs Burton, who resides at No. 28, Bottemley-street, haa three lodgers, including the prisoner. The last morel was off work for a day or two prior to the date of the alleged offence, and had been drinking during that time. On the night before he was Owed to have made use of some observations of • somewhat threatening oliaracter, and he was told that he would have to leave the house. His landlady was going to church, in accordance with • periodical custom, and the prisoner advised her to do so, as she would not have long to live. The next morning he went out early, and returned daring the forenoon, haying evidently been drinking. It also transpired subsequently that he had spent part of his time in purchasing a revolver at the shop of Mr Scott, in Marton-road, whom he requested to load the weapon. He also tried a shot with it in a field at North Ormeeby. While in the house the prisoner , insulted a young woman who called upon Mrs Burton, and the latter sharply rebuked him, and aladapuo,d his face. ,The prisoner laughed, and n g more occurred until between 12 and 1. Mrs Burton and her other two lodgers had dinner in the kitchen. One had left, and Mrs Burton had just risen from the meal table, leaving the third, • youth named Charles Robinson, sitting there. The prisoner was seen to go to the back door, on which hung his coat. He put his hand in the pocket, brought out • revolver, and pointing it towards Mrs Burton he fired. The bullet struck the wall a foot or two above Robinson's head. Min Burton ran out to make for the street, and as she was crossing the front room towards the door the prisoner fired again, the bullet this time passing through the open interior door, across the front room, through the window, and across the street, where it was stopped by • brick walL Mrs Burton met • constable, who returned with her and arrested the prisoner. The man expressed some regret at the faultiness of his SAM at the time. At the Police Court, however, he raised as • defence that the revolver went off accidentally in his hand as he took it from the coat pocket, and that he had not the smallest intention of firing or of injuring anyone. Frightened at the shot, he dropped the weapon, when it discharged itself again. No one was hurt by the shots, but Mrs Burton believed they were fired at her with deadly intent.—Mr Luck proaecuted.—Frisoner was undefended, and in addressing the jury said he did not intend in the least to fire at the prosecutrix, but simply drew it out of his pocket to frighten her. All he took the weapon out of his pocket it exploded, and it then fell on to the brick floor and exploded a second time. He was perfectly innocent of intending to shoot the woman, and had simply bought the revolver to resell and make • profit on it. H. would sooner shoot all the rest of the people in Middlesbrough than he would shoot the Ormecutrix.—His lordship then proceeded to sum up. —The jury found Carter guilty of shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harna.—His lordship deferred passing sentenoe.—Mr Justice Lawrence on Tuesday sentenced Carter to fifteen montbd imprieonment with hard labour.  Trees are being planted in the streets of Morpeth. A marriage has been arranged to take place after Easter between Captain &agar Lam. hart, Royal Hone Artillery, non of the late Non. Oliver William Lambart, R.N., and Mary eldest daughter of Sir James H. Waiker,tart,l49:4 Lady Walker, of Sand Hutton, Yorkshire. marnage has been avenged and will _