Evening star., 1943-10-29
2 *** THE EVENING STAR, Friday Oct 20 1943
Lonergan Appears
In Lineup; Confirms
Staying Statement
By tie Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
NEW YORK, Oct. 29.-Bleary
eyed and weary, Wayne Lonergan
stumbled up the platform steps at
the police lineup today and meekly
answered questions preliminary to
his arraignment later on a charge of
Staying his pretty heiress wife Pa
tricia in her lavish Beekman Hill
apartment.
Wayne, did YOU make statement
to the district attorney regarding
this caSe?" asked Acting Capt. Ed
ward Dillon sternly.
Yes, I did" answered the strap
ping 25-year-old Royal Canadian Air
Force cadet
Were you ever in trouble before?"
inquired Capt, Dillon.
No. sir" answered Lonergan.
Taken TO HOgan's Office.
After his brief appearance In po-
lice headquarters. Lonergan was
hurried to District Attorney Frank
S. Hogans office. Mr. Hogan an
nounced late yesterday that the one
time playboy had confessed killing
his wife SUNDAY by striking her with
two heavy brass candlestickS and
strangling her
Police have reported finding finger
prints on the candlesticks, but there
has been no announcement that they
h . hap1N \, 7 ~ %
First indication that Lonergan had
broken after almost "a hours in
ceSsant questioning came yesterday
afternoon when police were dis
patched to the East River to grapple
for the missing aircraftsman's uni
form which Lonergan had claimed
was stolen from him Saturday night
by a soldier he said he had be-
friended.
As he YEARLY sat on a bench with
bowed head awaiting his turn in the
lineup. police already had resumed
their hunt for the missing garments.
Says I'm Sorry"
Mr.. Hogan said Lonergan gave as
his reason for the crime his wife's
refusal to let him see their 18-
month-old son, Wayne William
Lonerean, who lay asleep in another
room in the Loner9an apartment.
When he was booked last night he
tersely commented I'm sorry for
the whole thing"
Described BY Mr. Hogan as in
telligent. stubborn and dcpraVed,
the lanky cadet began his purpovteG
confession after facing Maurice
Murray" Worcester. a Eridgepor;
Conn war worker and honorably
discharged soldier.
Lonerean had maintained durins
his four days of queStiOning that he
was at friends New York apart
ment With an American soldier
named Murray Worcester at the time
his eStranged wife was slain. He
claimed Worcester had stolen his
RCAF uniform.
DO YOU know this man-haVe YOU
ever seen him before?" asked Assist
ant District Attorney Jacob Grumet.
Lonergan shrugged a decided no"
Then Mr. Grumet identified him.
Lonerean admitted that his Story
was fiction. according to Mr.. Hogan.
Argued Over Seeing Child.
The police account Of Lonergans
statement began with his entering
his Wife'S antiQue-flrniSheG bedroom
and saying:
Il understand YOU are the belle of
Il NT1rnnrA'
night club.
Your behavior hasn't been so
good" she snapped back.
After Loncrgan had asked where
the baby was, the police report add
ed. the Comely Mrs. Lonergan re-
piled: Hes in bed Don't go in
You'll disturb him. Come back later
and see him"
Il can't answered Lonergan, Il
have a luncheon date with a girl"
He later dined with Jeanne Muir
ply Jabucg, blond actress
Mrs. LONcr-ln asked him to lunch
with her but he said he couldn't and
she remarked: I'm amazed. I can't
control my men
Started to Leave.
The RCAF cadet started to leave
when his wife asserted. You're not
going to see the baby again"
At that point, police continued.
Lonergan Whried around. picked
IN q heavy brass candlestick and
struck her His wife rose from the
bed, graSpcd HIM, scratching his
face. He stuck her with a second
candlestick, leaving her unclad body
avkWardly lying on the bed.
He then went to the apartment of
John Harj2s. a socialite friend,
doffed his blood-spattered uniform.
put on one of Harjes' suits and had
breakfast. Later he heaved his
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