Omaha daily bee., 1920-05-08
Lawrence lackey Testifies in
His Own Defense and With.
out Any Display Of Emotion
Tells Of Death of Daughter.
DENIES TESTIMONY
GIVEN BY BROTHER
Admits Giving Candy to Chill
dren, But Denies knowledge
1t Contained Poison-Ex-
plains Actions on TIVE DAYS.

Alliance, Neb., May 7.--(Special
Telegram.)-Lawrence H. Lackey,
charged with first degree murder in
connection with the poisoning of his
'7-year-old daughter, Pauline. who
died OF strychnine poisoning. Decem-
Der II, took the witness stand in his
own defense shortly before noon.
The state, after having produced 20
witnesses. rested its case at II o'clock
and the defense asked for half an
hour to prepare its case.
With the same composure that he
has maintained most of the time
since the~trial started last Tuesday,
the defendant took the stand and
turned partially around in his chair
facing the jury. Placing hand upon
either arm Of the chair he sat per-
fectly motionless and without the
slightest trace of nervousness.
4, in response to questions of his at
ttorney, William Mitchell, he stated
that he is 28 years old, was married
nearly nine years and is the father
OF FIVE children four of whom are
living. He named each child and gave
their ages and thc1tate of their birth
The children living are Wilma, eight
years old; Lawrence Henry, FIVE;
Charles William. four and Mary
Alice, two, he said. He testified that
his occupation was that of laborer
He said that his wife had divorced
him last November and that he con-
tested it for the reason that he
wanted the custody of the children.
Takes Candy Home.
"Where were you on the evening
of December l0?" asked Attorney
Mitchell. i
AT my mothers house." replied
the defendant. ~.
What time did you go there?"
about 6 o'clock"
"Where had you been before you
went to your mothers house?"
when I finished work that even
ing I stopped at Mallery's grocery
store and bought some. groceries
and somt candy for the children"
what did you do then?"
Started home to my mother S
house and on the way ] stopped at
my brother Franks house and gave
his little girl some candy and left
some for my baby, Mary, who was
staying there. Then | went on
home"
Tell what happened at your
mothers house that evening
well, when | got there, I gave
my mother and my children some
candy and ate some myself. The
rest had had supper, but mother
cooked mine for me. After supper
Brother Frank and my nephew, Al
bert Lackey, came over from
Franks house. Frank stayed about
an hour and went home, but Albert
stayed all night with us"
Gives Girls Candy.
What did you do with the rest
OF the candy that night?'
Il left It in my ceat pocket, hang,
ing mp in the kitchen"
Who got up first the next morn
ig:" .--. ~,-
Il got up and made the fire in the
kitchen"
What took place nexti''
The rest of the folks got up and
we had breakfast. After breakfast
Pauline and Wilma started to school
and | went with them
What time was that:'
q about $50"
sWeren't you working that day?
NO, the weather was too bad"
Go ahead and tell what hap
pened."
Well, we just walked along to.
ward the school house and on the
way l gave Wilma and Pauline eacf
a piece of candy and ate one myself
There were just three pieces left ii
the sack. After we had gone little
farther Pauline said her candy tastee
bitter. Wilma hadn't eaten hers.
didn't think anything of it and afte'
kissing them goodby at the schoo
house corner | went on down ta
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