REMARKABLE MURDER TRIAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 May 1936, Page 10

REMARKABLE MURDER TRIAL

UNT!IECED ENTE D v,NDENG COUNSEL OBJECTS TO VERDICT (United Press Association—U.v Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MELBOURNE. 23rd May. One of 'the most remarkable murder trials in the history of Victorian justice ended in an unprecedented manner yesterday. Lachlan McLachlan, aged 23, was charged with the murder of George Vickers, aged 24. or alternatively with having conspired with Vickers that each of them commit suicide. The Crown Prosecutor said it was not sugcasted that McLachlan fired the shot which killed Vickers. Vickers had died as a result of his own act, but if two persons were parties to a suicide pact and one shot himself and the other did not the survivor was guilty of murder. 'Mr Justice Lowe told the jury that ; f it came to the conclusion that there had been an agreement It- commit suicide the verdict of guilty of murder must be returned. After a retirement of three hours the jury announced a verdict of guilty of conspiracy to commit suicide. They were then told that they were obliged to find a verdict on the count of murder.

The jury took counsel on the floor of the court and then returned a verdict of "Not guilty of murder but guilty of conspiracy to commit suicide.'’

They were then discharged and v.-ere filing from the court when counsel. for the defence objected to the verdict, which he said was unsound justice.

Mr Justice Lowe recalled the jury to reconsider its verdict. A few minutes later the jury announced a verdict of murder with a strong recommendation for mercy. Counsel for the accused formally objected to tire verdict on the ground that the jury had already returned a verdict of not guilty of murder and had been discharged. Mr Justice Lowe said that in view of what had occurred he proposed to ask the Court of Criminal Appeal what verdict should be recorded. McLachlan was remanded.

McLachlan, who, with Vickers, was discharged from the Victorian Police Force on 21st December, was alleged to have made a statement, which was read at the inquest on Vickers on 26th December, in which he declared that he and Vickers were dismissed following an incident with girls in a motor-car. A third man was with them when McLachlan and Vickers decided that in the event of dismissal the latter pair should commit suicide. McLachlan’s statement continued: ‘‘We bought a revolver and tossed a coin to see who should have first shot. Vickers said, ‘lt's hard to do, but there is nothing else for it.’ We both shook hands and lay down on the grass. Vickers shot himself in the temple. I heard Ipm breathing and decided to go for an ambulance.” A letter found on Vickers indicated his intention to commit suicide, owing to the disgrace of being "sacked” from the Police Force. The Coroner committed McLachlan for trial on a charge of murder, finding that he had aided and abetted Vickers.