Cooke asked Beauchamp to murder Sharp as part of the agreement for marriage. He kept his promise, stabbing Sharp to death on November 5, 1825. He pleaded not guilty during his murder trial but was sentenced to be executed.
As per their premarital agreement, Cooke instructed Beauchamp to eliminate Sharp, which he did by killing him on November 5, 1825. During the subsequent trial, Beauchamp claimed innocence but was ultimately sentenced to die.