Murder of George Scott

29-year-old James Hartley and George Scott and other soldiers from the first regiment of guards decided to go for drinks at the Black Lion Pub on 123 Bayswater Rd, Bayswater, London, England. George invited James Hartley a soldier from the third regiment to join them. Henry Kendrick did not seem to like James.

Everyone was nearly drunk by 10 p.m.George insisted on splitting a parting pot. It would cost everyone a penny. Henry stated that James needed to pay a penny to and it was heard that James said "I'd be damned". A patron at the pub told James to watch his language. And In order to avoid any conflict, George said he'd pay James's penny because he invited him.

George needed to go to the bathroom. He got up and was about to the outside door when James stabbed George with a short sword. George collapsed on the floor screaming "Oh Lord, Kendrick I am killed, I am dead! James tried to escape, but he was stopped by a Hawker named William Davis by being hit in the face. Then a soldier named Rudkin helped stop him.

On 19 Feb. trial began. James claimed that he was attacked by  George Scott, Henry Kendrick, and Rudkin attacked him. He said that he was merely trying to defend himself. Henry and Rudkin claimed that there was no roughing up James, but Rudkin stated to another witness that Henry and James argued over a game of Dominos right before the stabbing. This was denied by Rudkin and Henry though. A barista was supposed to testify on James's behalf but wasn't able to. William Davis the patron that stopped James and had no ties to the soldiers agreed with Rudkin and Henry's stories.

James was convicted and was hanged at Newgate on 24 Feb 1800.

SOURCES:
The Exeter Flying Post or, Trewman's Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser 06 Feb 1800

Murder Houses of London by Jan Bondenson

Death Diary: A Year of London Murder, Execution, Terrorism and Treason by Gary Powell
British Executions
Capital Punishment UK