ALLEGED MURDER - 28 March 1925 LILYDALE TRAGEDY. GIRLS EVIDENCE. I Howard Edward Vernon, aged 39 years, married, and a painter by occupation, was committed for trial by the Coroner (Mr. Berriman) on a charge of having murdered William Wallace Bent, aged 17 years, railway clerk, at Lilydale, on March the 6th. Vernon was present during the Inquest, in custody, but was not represented by counsel. The court was cleared while Vernons sister in-law, Vera Chandler, aged 15 years, gave her evidence She said: Portion of the statements that the information given to the police is not correct. I met Bent in Main-street about 8 oclock on the evening of March the 6th, We sat down near a clump of grass. We had been there about five or 10 minutes when Bent rolled over behind me. I saw a figure come out of the darkness, and found that it was Vernon. I saw the barrel of a rifle pointing out from his coat in the direction of Bent. I jumped up dazed, I had not heard a report and said: Howard, what have you done? He said: You are next. Before that I heard the rifle click as if he were loading it again. Vernon carried Bent toward, the railway crossing on his shoulders. When we got to the crossing I Asked Vernon to come for a doctor, but he refused. Vernon bathed Bents face, and We left him on the ground. I did not say anything to my mother, and next day Vernon went with me and my mother to a pantomime in the city. Coming home in a train I read that Bent was dead, and Vernon said: Dont you squeak. Vernon is the only one who could have bonn responsible for my condition of health. There was no suggestion of impropriety between Bent and I when Bent was shot. Vernon reserved his defence, and was committed for trial.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:26:48 +0000
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