LANCASTER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1932, Page 5

LANCASTER TRIAL

MORE EVIDENCE

CLARKE’S TALK OF SUICIDE.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

MIAMI August 11

Testimony that Haden Clarke was a narcotic addict, and that he frequently , discussed suicide, that he suffered in New/Orleans from an illness, with which he was afflicted at the time of his death, was given to-day by Dick Lavender, Clarke’s former companion, who said: “He frequently discussed suicide, with me.”

J. I\. Moe, Deputy United States Marshal, testified that M. G. Tancrei, a State witness, had threatened to kill Lancaster if they were placed in the same cell. The conversation' took place, Moe said, while Tancrei was in Federal custody, on a charge of impersonating a naval officer. Tancrei and Lancaster were associates in an unsuccessful aviation venture in the West. “I’ll' do everything I can to see that Lancaster burns,” Moe quoted Tancrei as saying. Tancrei testified several days ago, that Lancaster threatened to get rid of Clarke. Lancaster denied this in his testimony. The examination of Lancaster to-day was brief, Mr Hawthorne questioned him closely regarding his financial affairs.

Lancaster, some time/ ago, signed an affidavit that he was a pauper. In to-day’s testimony he said 'he had given Airs Miller his share of the three hundred dollars they received for writing: two statements for a news service.

SKULL DISPLAYED IN COURT. (Received .this day at 9.25 a.in) • ' . . MIAMI, Aug. 12. The bullie/t-pierced skull of Clarke was brought. into court to-day, along with slides showing parts of the head, by Dr M. H l . Talman, a defence witness, one of the commission of four specialists who'.conducted the autopsy. Two bullet holes, marking the trance arid exit, were pointed out' by DT Tollman, as jurors leaned forward with expressions varying from acute interest to horror. Lancaster also peered 'intensely at the sku,;l. Using tha skull arid the fatal pistol to illustrate his testimony,Arthur Hamilton, criminologist, told the jury that he was absolutely convinced that Clarke .committed suicide. ’ “There is not the slightest' evidence her© to show that Clarke Was murdered, hut there is every Indication of suicide,” Hamilton addfed. ’ V," .. 1 ; ;

He'said that a microscopic examination: of the pistol showed blood tissue on the front signt, indicating that it had pressed firmly against. Clarke when the shot was fired. Taking the riuill in his hands, Hamilton stepped down before the jury, eventually passing the skull to each member. “The skull' shoWs’ that five radical fractures were made, not by the; bullet, but by exploding gases that followed the bullet”, Hamiton ©aid.