Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson was convicted of the murder of his 23-year-old girlfriend Beatrice Philomena Martin and sentenced to death. He stabbed her on the doorstep of her home at 13 Wingfield Street, Stretford, on 27 July 1925. They had been involved with each other for about two years but he had become jealous. Witnesses said that he followed her about and had threatened her. On the evening of the murder Beatrice Martin met a young sailor by appointment and they went to a public house in Salford. However, Samuel Johnson was there as well and there was an argument. She later returned home with the sailor, but after the sailor walked away there was a scuffle at her door and screams were heard. Beatrice Martin was then found lying on the step in a pool of blood after which Samuel Johnson walked off and told a constable what he had done. Samuel Johnson had been a slinger and married, but hadn't lived with his wife since 1921. His wife had been in domestic service at Birkenhead. Three of his children had been in the care of the Guardians and another had apparently been adopted. He had been associating with Beatrice Martin, who lived with her parents in Wingfield Street, for the previous two years, however, it appeared that she had been leading the life of a prostitute, and beside consorting with Samuel Johnson, she had been in the habit of going with other men, particularly with sailors between voyages. xxx1xxx However, Samuel Johnson had appeared to have been infatuated with Beatrice Martin and had talked of getting a divorce from his wife and marrying her. However, Beatrice Martin had refused that, and it was noted that Samuel Johnson was very jealous of her going with other men. On 18 July 1925 Samuel Johnson had been at Beatrice Martin's house, and in the presence of one of her friends Beatrice Martin said that as one of her boys, a sailor from Shetland, was coming home, that she would have to put 'Sammy', Samuel Johnson, on one side. Beatrice Martin then went out, and whilst she was out Samuel Johnson showed her friend a dagger, stating that he intended to kill the sailor with it. When Beatrice Martin later returned he put both his hands round her throat and cried: xxxqxxx I will kill you before I have finished. xxxqxxx On the afternoon of 25 July 1925, Samuel Johnson called and had words with Beatrice Martin about her not going out with him and she told him that she wouldn't go with him and objected to him following her. Samuel Johnson then left the house without her and a little later Beatrice Martin went out. It appeared that she met the sailor at the Palace Cafe where Samuel Johnson found her and when the sailor took Beatrice Martin home, Samuel Johnson was waiting for her near her house. Beatrice Martin then left the sailor and told Samuel Johnson that she would not go in whilst he was there, but her parents eventually persuaded Samuel Johnson to go away and Beatrice Martin went in. On the following evening, 27 July 1925, Beatrice Martin and the sailor were in the Fox Inn. Samuel Johnson was also there, and, according to the sailor, Beatrice Martin chaffed him, telling him he was: xxxqxxx Not big enough for her. xxxqxxx Samuel Johnson wanted to fight the sailor and the sailor went away, leaving Samuel Johnson and Beatrice Martin together. However, Beatrice Martin then went out and joined the sailor again and they went away and spent the evening together, returning to Wingfield Street at about 2am. When they arrived they found Samuel Johnson standing in her doorway, and it was noted that Beatrice Martin's mother had sometime before noticed him waiting about near the front door, and when she had asked him what he was waiting for, he told her: xxxqxxx Until Betty had come in. xxxqxxx Beatrice Martin's mother said that she told him that he had better go as Beatrice Martin would not come in whilst he was there. Beatrice Martin's mother said that she later heard a knock at the door and that she rushed downstairs and found Beatrice Martin and Samuel Johnson on the doorstep. She said that she heard Beatrice Martin say: xxxqxxx You are not coming in here. xxxqxxx She said that they were both struggling together and that she saw Samuel Johnson strike Beatrice Martin several blows with his dagger. It was noted that one of the wounds pierced Beatrice Martin's heart and lungs and that she died almost immediately. After that, Samuel Johnson said to the sailor, who had been nearby: xxxqxxx Jack, take me to the police. xxxqxxx When a police constable arrived, he said: xxxqxxx I want to give myself in charge. I have stabbed a woman. It is Miss Martin of 13 Wingfield Street. xxxqxxx When he was cautioned he said: xxxqxxx This is the knife I did it with. xxxqxxx And pointed to the knife that was stuck in the soil of a garden close to the front door. In court he pleaded guilty to murder in a short hearing. He stood calmly and declined counsel when asked. It was noted that a medical officer at Manchester Prison who had had him under observation since 29 July 1925 reported that he had found no indication of insanity about him. He said that Samuel Johnson's general conduct and conversation had been rational, but added that he was a man of low mental type, callous and indifferent. He was tried at the Manchester Assizes and sentenced to death within four minutes of entering the dock. He made no appeal and was executed at Manchester on 15 December 1925. Twenty nine year old Samuel Johnson was a Stretford dock worker and ex soldier sentenced to death by Mr Justice Wright at Manchester Assizes for the murder of Miss Beatrice Philomena Martin who was twenty three years old. Johnson had been separated from his wife for several months and had been courting the promiscuous Miss Martin. although whether this relationship was the cause of his marriage break up was never made clear. Despite the fact that Miss Martin was regarded by most people who knew her, including her father, as unworthy, Johnson asked her if she would marry him after he had obtained a divorce. She repeatedly avoided answering the question; he threatened to kill her if she ever went out with anyone else. After two months, she had still not made up her mind, and he carried out his threat. On 27 July, Beatrice went out for the night without him. Johnson waited by her house and as midnight approached he saw her return in the company of a sailor, with whom she had spent the evening. He watched them kiss at the door, and then the man walked away. Seonds later, Johnson emerged from the shadows and stabbed Beatrice in the back and neck. The sailor, alerted by her screams, came rushing down the street as Johnson walked towards him with the knife, then said: 'It's alright Jock, she's dead. Take me to the police!' At his trial, Johnson insisted on pleading guilty and refused any sort of legal aid. As a result, the trial was the shortest on record for many years. Hanged by William Willis and Thomas Phillips. Johnson had refused to see his wife while in the death cell, but asked to see the hangman for ten minutes on the eve of the execution because he did not want to upset him! The Governor told Johnson that he would see Mr Willis at one minute to eight and not before. Johnson did see the hangman on the 15th December 1925. Age:- 29 Date of Execution:- Tuesday, 15th December, 1925 Location of Execution:- Manchester Hangman:- William Willis Assistants:- Thomas Phillips Tried At:- Manchester Trial Dates:- 23rd November, 1925 Trial Judge:- Mister Justice Wright Crime:- Murder Victims:- Name:- Beatrice Philomena Martin Age:- 23 Location of Murder:- 13 Wingfield Street, Stretford, Manchester Date of Murder:- Monday, 27th July, 1925 Method of Murder:- Stabbed Relationship to Killer:- Girlfriend