DEATH OF AIRMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21258, 11 August 1932, Page 9

DEATH OF AIRMAN

| LANCASTER ON TRIAL EVIDENCE OF ACCUSED (Received August 10, 5.5 p.m.) i MTAMT. Aug. 9 The trial was continued to-day of Captain W. N. Lancaster on a charge of murdering Haden Clarke, an American airman. . Continuing his evidence accused stated that Clarke had promised him, before he left for the West, that he would care for Mrs. Miller " so that I would remember his friendship." Clarke had made this promise after accused had cautioned him to keep Mrs. Miller from drinking too heavily during his absence, as when she drank heavily her conduct was not normal. " I spoke confidentially to Haden before I left about my love for Mrs. Miller, and urged him to take care of her," eaid accused. He told how his admiration for Mrs. Miller had turned to love during their London to Australia flight in 1927-28. "We were in the public eye at that time, of course. After our arrival in Australia we had little opportunity to see each other. Reports About Woman Disbelieved " Since that long flight my love for Mrs. Miller has increased during the years. I treated Haden confidentially from the start of our acquaintance. I was very fond of him." Lancaster said he refused proposals on his western trip to fly his aeroplane for the purpose of smuggling alien Chinese or narcotics into the country from Mexico. Accused denied that he had threatened, in tho presence of a business associate, to return to. Miami from his western trip to get rid of Clarke. This denial contradicted the earlier testimony of J. F. Russell. " When Russell told me of the reports that 'Chubbie' was in love with Clarke I told him I wanted to hear no more about it. I did not believe it. I knew 'Chubbie.' " Lancaster said the conversation took place in Los Angeles while Russell was unsuccessfully attempting to persuade him to fly his aeroplane for alien and narcotic smuggling purposes. Witnesses as to Character Called Continuing, accused related occasions on which Mrs." Miller, Clarke and he drank whisky together. He said ono of the persons who brought the spirit- to their house was Peggy Brown, a Miami girl. " She told me she expected to marry Haden, Lancaster said. , f Keith Bon. retired rubber broker of Singapore, testified that Lancaster had a good reputation among his friends associates in England, , Austia la United States. Bon said he was on a vacation in Franco and came to Miami for the specific purpose of aiding Lancaster, who had visited his home during his London to Australia flight. Three flying friends ot accused testified that his character was good. They were ~g Clvde Pangborn, transatlantic flier, Irving I Boyor end Rex Gilmartin. i -'ill