LANCASTER TRIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1932, Page 7

LANCASTER TRIAL

A VINDICTIVE WITNESS CLARKE’S SUICIDE-TALKS [ BY CABLE —PRESS ABBS. —COPYRIGHT-! (Recd. August 12, 10.30 a.m.) MIAMI, August 11Testimony 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. P. Moe, Deputy United States Marshal, testified that M. G. Tancrel, a State witness, had threatened to kill Lancaster if they were placed in the same cell. The conversation took place, Moe said, while Tancrel was in Federal custody, on a charge of impersonating naval officer. Tancrel 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 Tancrel as saying. . , Tancrel .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 question 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 hehad given Mrs Miller his share of the three hundred dollars they received for writing two statements for a news service. - s

Lancaster was excused, after twelve and a-half hours on the stand. ' ‘

Richard Richardson, a Miami writer, said that he had twice heard Clarke discuss suicide, once about a year ago, and then Haden said the best method of suicide was by shooting. The second time was at Keith Miller’s home, three weeks before his death. He repeated then that shooting was the best method. “We were talking about suicide attempts that had failed,” added witness. “Haden said that if he ever committed suicide he was going; to do • it the right way, and scientifically. “Did he?” Mr Hawthorne asked. “That’s it!” was the reply.

Clarke told Richardson that he used a certain narcotic during March and said' he had found a place to buy the' narcotic here. ---