Michael Kennedy

Murder of wife; Manchester

Michael Kennedy for the murder of his wife, Ann

At http://www.manchester-family-history-research.co.uk/new_page_26.htm he is reffered to as Micheal Kennedy.

Early in October, fifty eight year old Michael Kennedy purchased a pistol and ammunition. On October 8, having spent the afternoon in a pub, he returned home to find his meal not ready. Later he asked his wife of 36 years, Ann, for a kiss, but she told him she didn't kiss drunken men. In a rage he shot her dead. He pleaded insanity at the trial but evidence was shown that he had bought the gun earlier in the week and the prosecution claimed that this was enough proof that the crime was premeditated. Kennedy's defence claimed that he had become upset at the death of one of his children and when he later lost his job he began to drink heavily. The combination of alcohol and an old head injury had the effect that, after a drinking session, he became madly dangerous. He was found guilty of murder and hanged by William Calcraft in Manchester on the 30th December 1872.