Grand Beach Murder — 1891

In June 1891, James Follett shot his brother Edward point-blank at Grand Beach.

On May 30, 1891, 44-year-old Edward Follett was returning from his dory at Grand Beach, about 12 miles from Grand Bank in Fortune Bay. As he walked toward his home carrying a coil of rope, his younger brother James Follett approached carrying a gun and shot him.

Edward was killed almost immediately. A contemporary newspaper account reported that his body had 68 shot wounds, principally around the heart.

James was arrested and taken to Grand Bank. The case went before the Supreme Court of Newfoundland, and the Chief Justice described the charge as “wilful homicide.”

The brother’s sister, Maria Hiscock, testified she saw Edward coming up the beach towards his home and witnessed James with a gun in his hand and fire it at their brother.

She heard Edward say, “Don’t cock that gun.”

Edward fell backward on the beach. James turned, walked toward his own home, and never looked back.

What makes the case especially intriguing is why James had killed his brother.

Mrs. Hiscock, the sister, told the tale. She testified that Edward Follett was a widower with his own home. He took in Edward Guillard's family, including his wife and five children.

But Guillard’s wife had three children who may have been Edward Follett's. Mr. Guillard often went to sea for long periods, and when he returned, they all lived happily together. When Guillard died, Follett married his wife.

Everyone in the small community knew of this arrangement.

James Follett and his wife were having trouble. She would rage, swear, and beat her fists against the walls of the house. He told his sister he could not live with his wife anymore. He gave up work and took to walking for long periods. She said he was out of his mind, and the community blamed his wife’s jealousy over Edward. At one point, he claimed Edward had his wife carried away.

When a police officer confronted James about Edward's murder, James reportedly said:

“I am glad I did it. I ought to have done it two years ago.” That's an extraordinary line for a historical murder story.

During the trial, James testified in his own defence. He said he saw his brother and his wife go into the ‘cow house’ several times and caught them in the act of criminal intercourse. He confronted his wife, who said she would not change her behaviour. At one point, he even considered drowning himself.

He said to her, "Sister, are you going to lead a better life than this?" She said, "Go to hell, you son of a bitch. I have had intercourse with Edward and will not change my conduct. James told her, "I will stop you from doing it."

That’s when he ran out with the gun and confronted his brother. He said: You have been criminally intimate with my wife since Friday.

The judge instructed the jury to choose from murder, manslaughter, or whether he was insane when he committed the act. The jury came back with a minor verdict of manslaughter.

 On Wednesday, July 8, 1891, Judge Pinsent sentenced James to seven years' hard labour.