John Stanford

343

Maureen Withey on 23rd January 2022

MAYO ASSlZES —Thursday. WILFUL MURDER. Mary Halloran and John Stanford were indicted for the wilful murder of John Halloran, at Claremorris, on the 7th of March last. The prisoners pleaded not guilty, and were defended Messrs. O’Fallon, Bourke, O’Dowd and Keogh. The first witness examined was the Rev. James Hughes— was the Homan Catholic clergyman of Claremorris where the parties resided; he proved that the deceased, who was husband to the female prisoner, was jealous of some impropriety of conduct ou the part of his wife in connexion with the other prisoner; early in March last deceased made complaint to the witness, and the parties having appeared before him, he suggested that Stanford should be removed to another station to this the female objected, saying if it were carried into effect she would go to England, earn her bread there, and get married to another man ; the witness suggested to the husband that be ought not to cohabit any longer with her, as he considered his life was in danger. The deceased himself in a subsequent interview requested witness to use his influence to effect the removal of the policeman. The deceased, on one occasion, stated to Mr. Hughes that the prisoners made him so drunk one night that he was unconscious of what he was doing, and when awoke in the morning he found both prisoners together. The witness stated that he stated that he had known Stanford a considerable time, and he considered his character an exceedingly good one ; in fact, his conduct was blameless; be was orderly man to the officer, and he was observed frequently at the chapel and other hours besides those for public devotion. Pat Halloran, brother of deceased, deposed that the evening before his death he saw him alive at eight o’clock ; as lie was going home from the hotel where he acted waiter, to his own house, passed that of deceased ; there was a light the window; it was then it was then about half-past twelve o’clock, and he saw the prisoners smoking together it; she was sitting the room door; he was with his back to the window; on the same evening the female prisoner complained to witness that her husband would give her no part of money he had received by the sale potatoes but that she would shortly take care that he could never sell any again—that she would soon settle him, and give him a dose ; after the deceased was found dead the witness observed a small hole in the back door, near the latch. Bridget Nicholson swore she saw the female prisoner the night before the death of deceased, at about ten o’clock; she asked witness to accompany her up street purchase some whiskey and cordial; she said she was beaten by her husband the night before that she had a cold tremor on her heart, and she sent for two people who might to her husband and bring her her clothes, as she would live no longer with him ; witness saw prisoner in the house when the hotly was found; she was crying; the body was on the rtoor, under the table, with the feet out. Mary Henry was the next witness examined—Her testimony related to conversations with the female prisoner, in the course of which she advised her to give up the company of Stanford, and to live quietly with her husband ; witness went to the house, and alter the door was forced open she saw body on the floor; there was only a shirt on the dead man the tail and arm of the shirt was was brought round his neck; the deceased was then still and cold, and he appeared to dead three or four hours. Richard Morrelly—Found the body on the floor and observed marks on it; there was a black mark about an inch I and a half long under the right ear; his neck was scraped as if with nails; there was a bruise the left knee where the skin was peeled oil*; also one the left shoulder; there was an appearance on the mouth of hand having been placed on it; the body was dirty. Thomas Barnacle deposed that he lived at Claremorris, and on the night of the 7th March he was obliged to get up and out at about one o’clock to a sand pit; he then saw both prisoners go along the street together; he saw them afterwards into the house of deceased at about three o’clock ; half an hour again saw them walking along the gardens at the back of the house saw them a fourth time in the street; they then parted, the policeman going towards the barrack ; the female went in the direction of Claremorris. Patrick Keogh also saw the prisoner on the morning the body was found, and observed her go to the door of her husband’s house, and try to open it, but she could not do I so ; she and her brother-in-law were afterwards breaking open the door, but witness requested them not to do so, and he then took it off the hinges it was fastened from within found the body on the floor, as described by former witness ; the back door was fastened with a bolt inside ; witness saw that bolt subsequently removed from the outside by two persons that were the coroner’s jury ; they did so with a nail, and through a small gimlet hole, which they showed witness. Owen Halloran, brother of deceased, deposed to having seen both prisoners shortly before the death of his brother, at a wedding near Clareraorris; witness was watching a limekiln the neighbourhood, and went to the wedding house several times to see the amusement; saw the prisoners coming out of the house and go beside a dunghill, beside which witness hid himself; the prisoners kissed each other, and he heard them say to one another will kill him in a week.” This witness was ably cross-examined by Mr. Keogh, who succeeded good deal in shaking the effect of his testimony. This witness stated that the prisoners, when they came out of the wedding-house, they spoke in English ; and, reference to bis depositions, it was found therein that they used the Irish language in the course of their conversation. That conversation, the witness positively swore, took place on Easter Sunday. Doctors O’Grady and Frayer proved that the deceased died by strangulation. The latter analysed the contents of his stomach, and found no poison or marks of inflammation on it: but the witness examined a tumbler, pointed out by the female prisoner, and it contained arsenic in a powdered state. Michael Meath examined—Sold prisoner, Stanford, an ounce of arsenic on the Tuesday before Ash-Wednesday ; he said he wanted it to kill rats in the barrack yard. Sub-constable Armstrong proved that it was his duty to attend the barrack stables Claremorris three times a day ; to his knowledge Stanford did not lay any poison there for rats. Cross-examined Mr. Keogh —-The stable infested with rats; they destroyed a hundred weight of oats in the coach-house ; Stanford might have set the poison without the knowledge of witness. Patrick Stanford, one of the jurors at the inquest, stated that had made an examination of the back door of deceased’s house, and observed a gimlet-hole by which the holt could be put back or forward with a nail from without, the witness found no difficulty in doing so. This was the case on behalf of the prosecution, and it being then half-past eight o’clock, Baron Richards, with the consent of both sides, adjourned the further hearing until Friday, but desired the jury to locked for the night would, however, order them every reasonable refreshment. The court sat to-day at ten o’clock, when Messrs. O'Fallon and addressed the jury at considerable length behalf the prisoners. Two witnesses were called, who swore that shortly before the death of the deceased stated to them that he would rather put end to his existence than live with a person like his wife, who would not give him any peace of mind. Mr. Bourke, counsel for the prisoners, called upon his lordship to direct an acquittal, inasmuch as the crown counsel had omitted to prove that Claremorris, where the alleged offence was committed, was situate within the county of Mayo.. The jury returned into court in about an hour with a verdict of guilty against both prisoners. They were then placed at the bar. and asked in the usual manner why sentence of death and execution should not pronounced against them. Mary Halloran pleaded that she was pregnant, and the court directed a jury of matrons to summoned, and while they were coming into the box Mr. Monahan said he thought he could remove the objection taken Mr. Bourke. found that the depositions were given evidence by the prisoners counsel, and it was there stated that the inquest was held Claremorris in the county of Mayo. . . Mr. Bourke—The inquisition was not given in evidence, but witnesses were asked questions from to show variance their testimony. Baron Richards said the fact as stated by Mr. Bourke and the prisoners should have the benefit of the point made, if there was anything in it. The jury of matrons was then was then sworn, and they returned verdict that the prisoner was pregnant. His lordship ordered the prisoners removed, and brought up for judgment on Saturday. Dublin Morning Register, 4 Aug 1841. At Castlebar Assizes, Mary Halloran, and John Stanford, of the Constabulary at Claremorris, were ordered to be hanged for the murder (by poison and strangulation) of John Halloran. husband of the prisoner, who intrigued with Stanford. No day is filed for the execution of the execution of the woman, who is pregnant. Limerick Chronicle, 4 Aug 1841. -------------------------------------------------- Kinnear Indent: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-17$init=CON14-1-17P60 and https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON14-1-17$init=CON14-1-17P61 John Stanford, tried at Mayo, 29 & 30 July 1841, Life, age 28, height, 5ft 8 ½, catholic, can read and write, Widower, 1 child. Offence: Murder- of John Hallinan - ClareMolley, Mayo, by strangulation, his wife Mary was transported for the same offence. I was sentenced to death – commuted to transportation for Life. Surgeon’s Report: Good. Trade, F. Labourer, ploughman, 2 years – the Mayo police. Native place, Co. Galway. Remarks: I reported at home I was single to prevent my relations from knowing. W, Alice 3 years ago. F, Peter, N.P. 2 B, 1S, Wm, Patrick, Bridget, N.P. Several certificates in this man’s favor. Conduct Record: https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-28$init=CON33-1-28p163 14 Dec 1843.Misconduct in having turnips in his possession, &c. Fourth months hard labour in chains, approved, to be added to his probation. 25 Apr 1844. Misconduct in making improper use of soap entrusted to his charge. Admonished. T.L 27 Nov 1849. Recomm for a C.P. 2.12.51. C.P. Approved, 24/5/1853. --------------------------------------------------- https://stors.tas.gov.au/POL220-1-3 page 309. Departure from Launceston, per ship Clarence, bound for Melbourne, 5 October 1853. John Stanford, per Kinnear, Conditional Pardon.