A DEATH PACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 122, 25 May 1936, Page 7

A DEATH PACT

UNUSUAL MURDER TRIAL OBJECTIONS TO FORM OF VERDICT THE JUDGE’S QUESTION [By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright] MELBOURNE, May 23. ' One of Dhc most remarkable murder trials in the history of Victorian jus tice ended in an unprecedented marine: 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. Th* Crown Prosecutor said it was not sug gested 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. Air. Jus-lice I.owe told the jury that if it came to the conclusion that there had been an agreement to commit suicide the verdict of guilty of murder must be returned. Guilty of Conspiracy. 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 Ihe 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 were filing from the court when counsel for the defence objected to the verdict, which he said was unsound justice. Air. Justice Lowe recalled the jury to reconsider its verdict. Mercy Recommendation. A few minutes later the jury announced a verdict of murder with a strong recommendation for mercy. Counsel for the accused formally objected to the verdict on the ground that the jury had already returned a verdict of not guilty of murder and had been discharged. Air. Justice Lowe said that in view of what had occurred he proposed to ask the Court of Criminal Appeal what verdict should be recorded. AlcLachlan was remanded. AlcLachlan, who, with Vickers, was discharged from the Victorian Police force on December 21, was alleged to have made a statement, which was read at the inquest on Vickers on De- cmber 26, in which he declared th;:; he and Vickers were dismissed following an incident with girls in a motor-’ar. A third man was with them when Alci Lachlan and Vickers decided ten; in the event of dismissal the 'alter pair should commit suicide. McLachlan’s statement continued: “We bought a revolver and tossed a coin to see who should have first shot. inkers 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 him breathing and decided to- go for an ambulance.” A letter found <«n A’inkers indicated his intention to commit suicide, owing to the disgrace of being “sacked” from the Police Fjice. The oroner comitted AlcLachlan for trial cn a charge of murder, finding that he had aided and abetted Vickers.