Charles J Monson

Charles J Monson was found shot.

It was suggested that he had shot himself accidently whilst climbing a fence causing the gun to explode.

He was described as a gentleman and a private patient at the North Riding Asylum near York. He had entered the asylum in 1894 whilst suffering from religious mania and was described as having had suicidal tendencies. However, he had outgrown it in two years and was allowed out on parole without an attendant.

The chief medical superintendent said that he thought that Charles Monson had been fit to be trusted with a gun.

Another doctor at the asylum said that he had lent Charles Monson his gun with five cartridges to go out and shoot wood pigeons. He noted that he had previously lent Charles Monson his gun.

However, he said that when Charles Monson didn't return on the Tuesday that a search was made for him and his body was found on the Wednesday.

The asylum attendant that found Charles Monson said that he thought that Charles Monson had sat down on a bank waiting for wood-pigeons and had fallen asleep and that his gun had then fallen to the ground, butt end down, and that the charge had exploded and entered his chin, blowing the top of his head off.

An open verdict was returned. The jury added the rider that the asylum authorities should not allow patients to go out alone with guns.