On the previous Sunday night after being kept awake by the baby crying, Turnbull had beaten his wife so badly she had fled from the house too frightened to return.
For the next few days he had drunk constantly leaving the children to fend for themselves. Sarah an intelligent child had looked after the other children like a mother, but after not sleeping for nearly a week Turnbull full of drink snapped and attacked the children. On 12th November 1919 John George Turnbull 45 years old appeared before Durham Assizes charged with murder, where 12 year old Sarah would have to live through the nightmare again. Sarah told the jury how she woke up to see her stepfather grab her brother Tommy and pour medicine down his throat trying to quieten him down but Tommy was wriggling around and her stepfather slashed Tommy's throat then slowly cut through his neck.
Sarah then told the jury He chucked the head down against the fender and then turned to us and said he would cut our heads off as well. We buried our heads under the pillows while my brother Matty stood up and prayed for him not to kill us.
My father then cut me on the hand, although it is better now. The children's mother then gave evidence but all she said was Turnbull was fond of the boy, he said Tommy was the best of the bunch. It is not understood why he did not kill the other children, but Dr Hickey a psychiatrist gave evidence on his mental state he said he was Stupid and not easily moved he also had thoughts about cutting off peoples heads. While being questioned at the police station he didn't seem to mind or care why he was there. The jury very quickly gave a verdict of guilty due to insanity and the judge, Mr Justice Lawrence sentenced him to be detained at His Majesty's pleasure.
