DEATH PACT

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 301, 28 December 1935, Page 5

DEATH PACT

Police Trainees Dismissed

ONE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

ON A MURDER CHARGE

By Telegraph —Copyright—Press Assn. SYDNEY, December 27.

An extraordinary story of a death pact between two police trainees was told to the Coroner at the inquiry into the death by shooting of George Thomas Vickers, aged 24, whose body was found near Albert Park lake oh December 24.

Lachlan McLachlan, who, with Vickers was discharged from the Victorian police force on December 21, allegedly made a statement, which was read to-day, in which he declared he and Vickers were dismissed following an incident with a girl’s motor-car. They had decided that, in the event of their dismissal, they should commit suicide. McLachlan’s statement continued: *‘We bought a revolver and tossed a coin as to •who should have the first shot. Vickers said, it’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 tempie. I heard him 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 he had aided and abetted Vick, -era.