Joseph Spooner - The sad case of the murder of his daughter.

Joseph Spooner - The sad case of the murder of his daughter.

42 year old Joseph Spooner was married to Catherine from whom he separated in December 1913.  The couple had six children and Catherine got custody of them.  However, they were a serious financial burden and so Catherine summoned her husband for child support in January 1914. 

 She was awarded 12 shillings (60p) a week, but Spooner had only paid her six shillings by the end of February, so she went back to court again to get the arrears.

On Thursday the 26th of February, which was the day they were supposed to appear in court, Spooner went to his sister in law’s house at 62 Oliver Street in Liverpool around nine o’clock in the morning and asked to see Catherine.  

He was told that she was not in, but waited around till she returned and spoke to her outside No. 64.  The couple were observed talking by Mary Dutton who lived there.

The Spooner’s youngest daughter, 3 year old Elizabeth, was playing at her aunt’s house at 71 Oliver Street.  After he and his wife had finished talking, Spooner went to No. 71 and asked to see Elizabeth.  He took the little girl out and this was also observed by Mary Dutton.  

They went to visit a sweet shop owned by Isabella Exon in Upper Parliament Street, arriving at 11.30 am. and Spooner bought a bag of sweets for Elizabeth.

Mary Dutton’s nine year old daughter, Grace, who knew Elizabeth and her father well had seen them together earlier.  At 11.50 am. Grace made a horrific discovery.  She found Elizabeth with her throat cut at the back of her home.  At this time Elizabeth was still clinging to life and she survived until the following day.  Spooner was the prime suspect and was in custody by 2.20 that afternoon.

Spooner was tried at Liverpool on the 22nd of April 1914, before Mr. Justice Bray.  He pleaded guilty.  His counsel, Mr. Madden, told the court that he had explained to Spooner the consequences of that plea.  Mr. Justice Bray accepted this and proceeded to pass the death sentence.  Spooner reportedly interrupted him, saying “I can hardly hear you my lord”.  The judge raised his voice accordingly.

There was no appeal and Spooner was hanged at Walton prison at 8.00 a.m. on Thursday the 14th of May 1914, by John Ellis and William Willis.  Spooner weighed 166 lbs. and was given a drop of 6’ 7”.  The prison doctor noted on the LPC4 form that this caused fracture of the odontoid process of the 2nd cervical vertebrae and stretching of the spinal cord.