Murder of Michael NOONAN at St Helens 1902

Manchester Courier August 8th 1902

Fatal Quarrel

At St Helens last night two colliers James SHAW and Michael NOONAN quarrelled after leaving a beer house Boiler Makers Arms, Watery Lane at Sutton, SHAW it is alleged took parts of a gun from his pocket and put them together and shot NOONAN in the groin, afterwards turning the weapon on to the brother of NOONAN, who knocked it out of his hand and pinned him to the ground. NOONAN died at midnight SHAW escaped. [The gun a double barrelled gun SHAW, was a well known poacher]

St Helens Tragedy

Accused arrested at his home at Moss Nook

PC Richard MARSH arrested James SHAW, who is alleged to have murdered the man Michael NOONAN of St Helens at the home of the accused at Moss Nook, It transpires that after the tragedy on Tuesday night SHAW had made his way to Knutsford where the mother of his wife resided. He was seen at Knutsford during the day but the police there were unaware he was wanted. After they saw the evening papers they made inquiries and found that SHAW, with the mother of his wife, Mrs COX, left Knutsford by the 7.35 train for Warrington.

The accused walked across the town from Central Station to Bank Quay and had booked to Collins Green in the borders of Parr Moss. He alighted from the train at Collins Green, and Guard LYONS, acting stationmaster immediately telephoned to St Helens Junction to acquaint the police. SHAW and Mrs COX walked across the Moss and were seen by PC. MARSH to enter the backyard of the house of the accused

MARSH at once spoke to SHAW, who answered that he knew all about it. He went into the house where his wife and eight children were gathered, after the accused had, had supper he bade his wife Good Night and left his lamented family to go with the constable, who arrived at St Helens Town Hall, 11.50 with the prisoner securely handcuffed. Chief Constable WOOD and Inspector STOLL, at once informed SHAW of the nature of the charge, and he was afterwards lodged in one of the cells.

At the St Helens Police Court yesterday James SHAW was brought up on a charge of murdering Michael NOONAN at Sutton on Tuesday night and was remanded to Walton Gaol.

Manchester Courier August 22nd, 1902

St Helens Tragedy

SHAW committed for trial on the capital charge

Collier James SHAW, 43, was brought up at St Helens Police court, charged with the murder of collier banksman Michael NOONAN, aged 29, on August fifth, the court was crowded. Mr W. H. ANDREW, Town Clerk, was for the prosecution, and Mr H. L. RILEY for the defence. The prisoner looked thin and careworn, and listened to the proceedings calmly from his seat, in the dock, making no interruptions.

In cross examination the brother of the deceased Thomas NOONAN, said he knew that SHAW had been in the habit going about with a dog and gun which was generally in two parts in his pocket.

The struggle for the possession of the gun was after the fatal shot was fired. SHAW did not fire a warning shot before the deceased and others approached. Several witnesses corroborated and the magistrate committed SHAW for trial for wilful murder.

Manchester Courier December 4th, 1902

Liverpool Assizes

Alleged murder at St Helens

At the Liverpool Assizes yesterday before Mr Justice JELF, James SHAW, 43, collier was indicted for the wilful murder of Michael NOONAN, of St Helens on the 6th, of August. Mr TOBIN and Mr Leslie SCOTT appeared to prosecute and the prisoner was defended by Mr Rigby SWIFT.

The case for the prosecution as opened by Mr TOBIN was that the deceased collier aged 29, and others including the prisoner met at the Boiler Makers Arms, Watery Lane at Sutton on the evening of the 6th of August, and something in the nature of a quarrel took place. About 10.15pm prisoner and some of the party left and was followed by the deceased who caught them up. The night was dark and a further altercation took place, in the course of which a scuffle occurred between the deceased and a friend of the prisoner, when both fell to the ground struggling. The brother of the deceased went to his assistance, whereupon the prisoner as was alleged, went to his own house close by and procured a gun, and at a distance of a few feet only from the men on the ground, discharged it. The deceased was shot in the groin and died two hours later. The prisoner after firing the first shot, fired a second at Thomas NOONAN the brother of the deceased, without effect and Thomas NOONAN knocked him into a ditch.

Counsel for the prosecution read the statement given by the prisoner when before the magistrates at St Helens. Prisoner then said he had been followed by the prisoner and his friends, and he fired the gun into the air. They then rushed him and a scuffle occurred. One of the NOONAN party kicked his hand by the trigger and the gun went off.

The case for the prosecution was not closed at the rising of the court and will be resumed.

Manchester Courier December 5th, 1902

Liverpool Assizes yesterday

Trial resumed

The allegation of the prosecution was that following a quarrel at the public house at Sutton a scuffle took place between the deceased and another man and while the deceased was lying on the ground the prisoner ran into his own house and came out with a loaded gun, which he discharged at the deceased causing his death. The defence was that intention was not sustained by the evidence and the weapon was accidentally discharged.

The prisoner in the witness box stated he had no intention of shooting NOONAN. He had no gun in his pocket all night as he was coming out of the house the NOONANS and a man named ASHTON tried to take the gun off him, a struggle followed and the gun accidentally went off.

Mr Leslie SCOTT addressing the jury for the Crown, suggested that during the first disturbance, SHAW went home for the gun, followed the NOONANS and fired it.

Mr SWIFT submitted to the jury on behalf of the prisoner that the NOONANS and ASHTON had gone out of their way to the extent of a quarter of a mile to meet with SHAW who was the only one of the party upon which they had not wreaked vengeance for a previous quarrel, with the view of having a row. They went in the direction which he had gone, it was a reasonable thing the SHAW, who was in the habit of going out catching game should carry a gun in his pocket, but there was no suggestion of provocation which should induce SHAW to fire at NOONAN.

His Lordship said there was no possibility of a third verdict on the evidence of the prosecution. It was a case of murder and if they took the evidence of the prisoner to be correct it was unquestionably not a case of manslaughter. It was a question of guilty or not guilty of murder.

After a retirement of 45 minutes the jury returned a verdict of, Not Guilty and the prisoner was discharged.

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