LEDWEDGE LAWLOR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 February 1940, Page 5

LEDWEDGE LAWLOR

CHARGES OF INTENT TO MURDER HEARING IN MELBOURNE. ”NO APPARENT REASON FOR SHOOTING.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 26. Ledwedge Vincent Lawlor, aged 42. munitions worker, was charged in the Criminal Court today on two counts of wounding with intent to murder, and alternatively on two counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and two counts of unlawful wounding. Though it was not mentioned in court, Lawlor was the man who was charged in London last year with having fired a shot as the Duchess of Kent was leaving her home, and was released on bond on condition that he left England. The prosecutor today said that each of the two men alleged to have been shot by Lawlor was under the influence of liquor. There was no apparent reason for the shooting. When the police questioned Lawlor at the munition works where he was employed, they found in his pocket a rifle with the stock and barrel sawn down. Tests showed that both bullets were fired from that rifle. Lawlor's counsel said that Lawlor had twice been certified insane, and was detained in an asylum in 1932 and 1936. Counsel suggested that Lawlor was suffering from delusions of persecution. and of having an "inner voice” which told him he was of exalted rank. The hearing was adjourned to tomorrow.