GUILTY OF MURDER

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 3241, 11 December 1930, Page 7

GUILTY OF MURDER

CASE OF RICHARD BUCKLEY.

“SMOKED OUT.”

Richard Buckley, now under the shadow of the gallows for his part in the cold-blooded murder of banker Berriman, some years ago, was “smoked out” only after a chase which reads like a thriller novel. The sleuth responsible was Detective Lacey, who was selected for the job because of his flair for shadowing. His make-up as a wom%n is said to have been unusually convincing. About 12 months ago police headquarters received a number of anonymous letters stating that Buckley, believed to be far away from Melbourne, could be found at certain houses in the suburbs. However, raiding parties failed to land him, though they discovered that their man was receiving a weekly allowance from members of 'the underworld. Then Lacey was put on his track. For months he was in touch with the gangsters, taking his life in his hands. Eventually, with the aid of his disguise, he made contact with the chosen few who knew where Buckley might be met. Lacey shadowed these people for weeks, day and night. After several narrow escapes from detection and many disappointments, the pursuer located his man at Moonee Ponds. A constant watch was kept on the house by the detective, who paid several midnight visits disguised as a “fashionable” woman. Then he made ready to strike, surrounded the cottage, battered a way in ... . and Buckley was no longer “in smoke.” Now it looks as though Buckley will soon follow his partner in homicide, Angus Murray.