Sworn and examined saith that this examinate and Mr Sutton was at Mr Sheriff's on Thursday night the 24th of the month and thence Mr Sutton and Mr Beeston talked together but when they said [he] knoweth not then Mr Beeston went out of the door… and upon that [Mr Sutton] went forth of the door after Beeston and came to the Churchyard gate… Mr Beeston and his company and said to Mr Beeston thou hast done me wrong… upon that two of Mr Beeston's followers drew their swords and offered to strike at Mr Sutton whereupon Mr Beeston old Mr Whitmore Richard Leigh and Ciddall kept them asunder… and Mr Sutton said if you have nothing to say to me I have nothing to say to you and so goodnight but during this time… one of Mr Beeston's fellows had his weapons drawn under his cloak then Mr Sutton went through Newgate and so up Fishmonger's lane towards his lodging at being at the White Hart and so he crossed the street Mr Beeston and his company meet him there and so there jostled… and upon that Mr Beeston's fellows drew and Mr Sutton this examinate drew their weapons and at that instant Mr Sutton received his wound but by whom he this examinate knoweth not.
Sworn and examined saith that he being at Mr Sheriff's house after supper with his master Mr Sutton saw some gentlemen go out of Mr Sheriff's gate and his master presently followed after and came to the fate of St Joan's churchyard and there meet Mr Beeston… and at the end of the lane Mr Beeston went up St John's Lane and Mr Sutton through the Newgate up Fleshmonger's Lane towards his lodging so crossing the street Mr Sutton and his company meet Mr Beeston and his company and fell a jostling and drew their swords but who drew first this examinate cannot say.
Sworn and examined saith that on the aforenoon of the said day that… Richard Sutton died… after they had been with Mr Sutton whom they saw in great danger of death went to visit Mr William Whitmore the younger where he lay in the Eastgate Street of Chester who told them he had received a hurt in the brow by Mr Sutton but was not much worse for it: then Thomas Mainwaring who was with this examinate told Mr Whitmore he doubted there was no hope that Mr Sutton could live: and asked Mr Whitmore if any former quarrel or falling out had been amongst them: to whom Mr Whitmore answered no not for my part: he and I ever loved well and called brothers and so we called each other yesternight at supp. so as I would be very sorry if my unfortunate hand should have been any cause of his death: or words in substance to that effect as this examinate remembreth.
Sworn and examined deposeth and saith that the night that Mr Richard Sutton esquire was slain in the city of Chester, this examinate having supped at Robert Sevill's house went out after supper without the Eastgate to the town ditch and at this examinate's return back again, he this examinate saw a great company gathered together below the White Hart and somewhat nearer the Eastgate at which time this examinate heard one in the company say, Mr Sutton as you are a gent hold your hand, which he thinks was Mr Beeston and then this examinate looked towards them and saw Mr Sutton with his sword in the one hand and his dagger in the other hand drawn, and then this examinate did hear the same man that as this deponent thinks that spoke the former words say (for it seemed to this examinate to be the same voice) he comes upon me I cannot pass him, then said further unto him, as you are a gent hold and so soon as these words were spoken the same Sutton struck at the whole company that were there, and then one man that had [not] any weapon about him and seemed to this examinate to be an ostler or such like man called in the street… And then a link came: so they were sided and parted, which was all [he] knoweth touching the same fray.