Patricia Burton Lonergan Murdered by Wayne Lonergan: October 24, 1943
Timeline
1943, October 25
"RCAF CADETS WIFE SLAIN IN HOME HERE; Broker's Granddaughter Found Bludgeoned With Lamp in Locked Bedroom Wife of RCAF Cadet Slain Here; Nude Body Found in Locked Room".
- "Bludgeoned to death in her locked bedroom, apparently with one of a pair of antique bed lamps found near by on the floor, the body of Mrs. Patricia Burton Lonergan, 22-year-old wife of a Royal Canadian Air Force cadet, was found last night in her three-floor apartment at 313 East Fifty-first Street in the fashionable Beekman Hill district, near Second Avenue." New York Times, October 25, 1943 - Front Page
1943, October 26
"HUSBAND IS HELD FOR QUESTIONING IN HEIRESS' MURDER; Lonergan, Picked Up in Toronto Without His RCAF...
- "Aircraftman Second Class Wayne Lonergan, Royal Canadian Air Force member taking pre-air crew training at the University of Toronto, was held in that city last night for questioning in the death of his wife, Mrs. Patricia Burton Lonergan, 22 years old, who... New York Times, October 26, 1943 - Front Page
1943, October 27
"LONERGAN ON WAY FOR INQUIRY HERE IN WIFE'S MURDER; RCAF Member, Continuing to Deny Part in Crime, A..."
- Wayne Lonergan waived extradition in Toronto, Canada, last night, and is due back in New York City early today for further questioning about the murder of Mrs. Patricia Burton Lonergan, his wife, who was strangled and beaten to death some time last Sunday... New York Times, October 27, 1943 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
1943, October 29
Lonergan Admits He Killed His Wife in a Jealous Row; Says He Felled Her With Candelabra After Each ... [PDF]
- Wayne Thomas Lonergan of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 25 years old, a Canadian, was booked on a charge of homicide in the East Fifty-first Street police station last night after he had confessed that he killed his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, in her b... New York Times, October 29, 1943 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
1943, October 31
STATE PREPARING TO TRY LONERGAN; Grumet Visits Home of Murder Victim for Evidence to Buttress Confe... [PDF]
- The opening steps to bring Wayne Lonergan to trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, were taken yesterday by the police and Jacob Grumet, Assistant District Attorney in charge of the homicide bureau, when they visited the murder scene ... New York Times, October 31, 1943 -
1943, November 1
=="LONERGAN'S UNIFORM ELUDES SEARCHERS; Police Continue Grappling for It in the East River [PDF]
- The bloodstained uniform worn by Wayne Lonergan when he bludgeoned and strangled his estranged wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, in her triplex apartment at 313 East Fifty-first Street was still the object of a search in the East River yesterday -- a week a... New York Times, November 1, 1943 -
1943, November 2
LAWYERS PLANNING LONERGAN DEFENSE; Broderick, Ellison and Halperin to Serve -- Will Filed [PDF]
- Three well-known attorneys were appointed yesterday by General Sessions Judge John J. Sullivan to defend Wayne Lonergan, confessed slayer of his 22-year-old wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, in her apartment at 313 East Fifty-first Street on Oct. 24.... New York Times, November 2, 1943 -
1943, November 5
11-DAY STAY GRANTED FOR LONERGAN PLEA; Lawyer Plans Move for a Visit to Jail by Slayer's Baby Son [PDF]
- Over the protest of Assistant District Attorney Jacob Grumet, counsel for Wayne Lonergan, confessed slayer of his 22-year-old wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, in her home at 313 East Fifty-first Street on Oct. 24, received an eleven-day stay in General Ses... New York Times, November 5, 1943 - Article
1943, November 16
LONERGAN'S PLEADING STAYED ANOTHER WEEK; Asks Permission to See Baby -- Wants Change of Clothes [PDF]
- Counsel for Wayne Lonergan received yesterday another week's stay of formal pleading on the indictment charging him with the first-degree murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, November 16, 1943 - Article
1943, November 23
LONERGAN IN COURT WEARS WORRIED LOOK; Not Guilty Plea in Murder Made for Him by Lawyers [PDF] not guilty plea entered... New York Times, November 23, 1943 - Article
1944, January 14
LONERGAN ON TRIAL JAN. 31; Case Assigned to Judge Freschi -- Panel to Be Drawn Monday [PDF] The first-degree murder trial of Wayne Lonergan, former aircrafts-man in the Royal Canadian Air Force, in the death of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, in her apartment at 313 East Fifty-first Street, last Oct. 24, will open before Judge John J. Fresch... New York Times, January 14, 1944
1944, January 18
LONERGAN PANEL BRAWN; 200 Talesmen Are Prospective Jurors for Trial on Jan. 31 [PDF] A special panel of 200 talesmen was drawn yesterday by Commissioner of Jurors James McGurrin, from which the jury is to be chosen when Wayne Lonergan goes on trial in General Sessions on Jan. 31 for first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Patricia B... New York Times, January 18, 1944
1944, January 22
Lonergan Trial Delay Sought [PDF] defense lawyers seek postponement; hearing set...New York Times, January 22, 1944
1944, January 25
LONERGAN COUNSEL AT ODDS IN COURT; Split Among Three Attorneys for Murder Suspect Bared as Trial Is... [PDF] The opening of the General Sessions trial of Wayne Lonergan in the killing of his young wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, which had been set for Jan. 31, was postponed yesterday by Judge John J. Freschi until Feb. 14. The court acted on the motion of two of... New York Times, January 25, 1944
1944, February 3
TWO LAWYERS QUIT LONERGAN DEFENSE; Murder Defendant Retains One, Edward V. Broderick [PDF] At the request of Wayne Lonergan, awaiting trial in the slaying of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, General Sessions Judge John J. Freschi yesterday vacated the order that had assigned Edward V. Broderick, Milliard H. Ellison and Abraham J. Halprin as ... New York Times, February 3, 1944
1944, February 4
LONERGAN LIKELY TO PLEAD INSANITY; Rejects an Offer to Accept a Second-Degree Sentence --Trial Put ... [PDF]
- The first-degree murder trial of Wayne Lonergan, who strangled his young wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, was put off yesterday by Judge John J. Freschi in General Sessions from Feb. 14 to Feb. 23. The action was coincidental with the revelation that the d... New York Times, February 4, 1944 - Article
1944, February 12
LONERGAN STAY SOUGHT; Commissioner to Question Man in Canal Zone Is Asked [PDF] Judge John J. Freschi will hear argument next Tuesday by Edward V. Broderick, counsel for Wayne Lonergan, and Assistant District Attorney Jacob Grumet on another motion by the defense lawyer for a stay of the opening of his client's first-degree murder tr... New York Times, February 12, 1944
1944, February 16
LONERGAN LAWYER SEEKS NEW WITNESS; Demand to Question Seaman 'Possibly at Foreign Port' Brings Clas... [PDF] The possible appearance of a merchant marine seaman as an important defense witness in the coming trial of Wayne Lonergan for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, brought on another clash in General Sessions yesterday between the opposing law... New York Times, February 16, 1944
1944, February 17
LAWYERS REBUKED IN LONERGAN CASE; Angry Clashes Bring Court's Remark That He Will Not Permit 'Hippo... [PDF] After a series or legal clashes the way appeared to have been cleared in General Sessions yesterday for the opening next Wednesday of the first-degree murder trial of Wayne Lonergan, who strangled his young wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, February 17, 1944
1944, February 19
LONERGAN PAPERS FILED; New Motions by His Counsel Seen Possibly Delaying Trial [PDF] Edward V. Broderick, lawyer for Wayne Lonergan, the 27-year-old former Canadian aircraftsman, accused of murdering his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, filed new papers in General Sessions yesterday which may delay the opening of Lonergan's trial next Wedn... New York Times, February 19, 1944
1944, February 22
COURT REJECTS PLEA FOR LONERGAN DELAY; Defense Counsel Silenced as to Witness to Murder [PDF] Judge John W. Freschi denied yesterday in General Sessions the last three defense motions and cleared the way for the opening tomorrow of the trial of Wayne Lonergan for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan... New York Times, February 22, 1944
1944, February 23
LONERGAN'S TRIAL WILL BEGIN TODAY; 20 Witnesses, Aside From the Police and Experts, Due to Testify ... [PDF] Wayne Lonergan, Royal Canadian Air Force aircraftman second class, is to go on trial on General Sessions Court before Judge John J. Freschi today for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, at 313 East Fifty-first Street on Oct. 24.... New York Times, February 23, 1944 - Article
1944, February 25
LONERGAN'S TRIAL OFF UNTIL MONDAY; Lawyer's Plea, Telegraphed From Canada, Is Granted by Judge Fres... [PDF] Wayne Lonergan's trial for wife murder was delayed again in General Sessions Court yesterday -- this time until Monday -- on a second successive motion for adjournment made in absentia by Edward V. Broderick, defense attorney.... New York Times, February 25, 1944 - Article
1944, February 26
LONERGAN LAWYER REPORTS NEW DATA; ' Surprising' Evidence Found by Broderick in Journey North, Aide ... [PDF] defense office repts Broderick uncovers evidence; prosecution queries prospective witnesses... New York Times, February 26, 1944
1944, February 28
LONERGAN'S TRIAL WILL BEGIN TODAY; Broderick Says He Is Ready and That the Defendant Is Confident o... [PDF] Wayne Lonergan, former Royal Canadian Air Force aircraftsman second class, will be placed on trial at 10:30 A.M. today in General Sessions Court before Judge John J. Freschi on a charge of murdering his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, February 28, 1944 -
1944, March 3
Lonergan Trial Is Delayed By Plea to Oust Talesmen; Court Adjourns Case Until Today to Weigh State ... [PDF] Wayne Lonergan's trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, went through a brief but explosive session in General Sessions Court yesterday.... New York Times, March 3, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
1944, March 4
Lonergan Trial Is Halted; Talesmen Are Dismissed; Freschi Grants Motion Based on a Defense Motion -...
- Wayne T. Lonergan's trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, was put over indefinitely in General Sessions Court yesterday by decision of Judge John J. Freschi.... New York Times, March 4, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
1944, March 7
GRUMET TO REQUEST NEW LONERGAN PANEL; Motion to Be Made Tomorrow, Broderick Is Notified
- Assistant District Attorney Jacob Grumet yesterday notified Edward V. Broderick, counsel for Wayne Lonergan, that he would ask Judge John A. Mullen in General Sessions tomorrow for another blue-ribbon panel of talesmen to try Lonergan on the first-degree ... New York Times, March 7, 1944 - Article
1944, March 9==
NEW LONERGAN TRIAL TO START MARCH 20; Blue Ribbon Panel Will Serve Despite Broderick Protest [PDF]
- Judge John A. Mullen in General Sessions yesterday set March 20 for the new trial of Wayne Lonergan for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan. Judge Mullen, who is sitting in Part I, or the motion part, of the court, assigned the trial to Part ...New York Times, March 9, 1944 - Article
1944, March 11
NEW PANEL IS DRAWN FOR LONERGAN TRIAL; 3 Women Among 300 Talesmen -- Broderick Hearing Today [PDF] A panel of 300 blue-ribbon talesmen, including three women, was drawn yesterday in the Commissioner of Jurors' office in the Supreme Court Building for the second trial of Wayne Lonergan on the indictment accusing him of the murder of his wife, Patricia B...New York Times, March 10, 1944 - Article
BRODERICK HEARING ON CONTEMPT PUT OFF; Delayed Till After the Trial of Lonergan Is Ended [PDF]
Judge John J. Freschi postponed in General Sessions yesterday until April 14 the hearing of the contempt-of-court proceeding against Edward V. Broderick, counsel for Wayne Lonergan who on March 20 will go on trial for a second time for the murder of his w... New York Times, March 11, 1944 - Article
Lonergan Insanity Plea Hinted [PDF]
psychiatrist gets permit to examine Lonergan...New York Times, March 18, 1944 - Article
3 JURORS CHOSEN IN LONERGAN TRIAL; Murder Case Gets Under Way Briskly as Court Clips All Hints of L... [PDF]
Wayne T. Lonergan's trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, got briskly under way in General Sessions Court yesterday with the selection of three jurors before the noon recess.... New York Times, March 21, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
JURY COMPLETED IN LONERGAN TRIAL; Reputed Confession Unsigned by Murder Defendant, Prosecution Admi... [PDF]
A jury complete with alternates to hear evidence in Wayne T. Lonergan's trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, was chosen yesterday in General Sessions Court before Judge James G. Wallace.... New York Times,
March 22, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Article
LONERGAN CHOKED WIFE, GRUMET SAYS; Strangled Her After Fracturing Skull With Candlestick, Prosecuto... [PDF]
Four witnesses went to the stand in General Sessions Court yesterday as the State began to lay the foundation for its case against Wayne Thomas Lonergan, on trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, March 23, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Article
HARJES TESTIFIES IN LONERGAN TRIAL; Identifies Compact State Says Defendant Used to Cover Scratches... [PDF]
Seven more State witnesses added bits of oral mosaic to the People's case against Wayne Thomas Lonergan yesterday in his trial in General Sessions Court for the murder of Patricia Burton Lonergan, his wife.... New York Times, March 24, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
LONERGAN DEFENSE ASSAILS CONFESSION; Hogan and Aides Deny Using Threats or Brandy to Win Admission ... [PDF]
The defense in Wayne T. Lonergan's trial for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, tried to prove yesterday that 20year-old brandy, denial of sleep and promises of light prosecution were employed to force a murder confession from the defendant... New York Times, March 25, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Article
3 ARRIVE TO TESTIFY IN TRIAL OF LONERGAN; Woman and 2 Toronto Detectives to Be State Witnesses [PDF]
Three State witnesses who are scheduled to testify this week in the trial of Wayne T. Lonergan, accused of slaying his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan, last Oct. 24, arrived here yesterday.... New York Times, March 26, 1944 - Article
Lonergan Confession Read; Tells of Bludgeoning Wife; Lonergan Confession of Killing Read at Trial [PDF]
Wayne Thomas Lonergan fingered his chin, absent-mindedly pinched his nose and passed long, thin fingers through his hair in General Sessions Court yesterday while a stenographer read into the record the Lonergan confession of the murder of his wife, Patri... New York Times, March 28, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
LONERGAN DEFENSE IS ENDED ABRUPTLY; Prisoner Fails to Take Stand -- No Effort Made to Prove Tempora... [PDF]
The defense rested with startling abruptness yesterday in Wayne Lonergan's trial in General Sessions Court for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, March 30, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
LONERGAN GUILTY IN SECOND DEGREE OF SLAYING WIFE; Faces 20 Years to Life for Beating Woman to Death... [PDF]
Ten hours and thirty-six minutes after it began deliberation in General Sessions Court yesterday, a jury at 10:22 P.M. found Wayne Thomas Lonergan guilty of murder in the second degree. He faces sentence on April 17 of 20 years to life in State's prison....New York Times, April 1, 1944 - By MEYER BERGER - Front Page
LONERGAN IN COURT TODAY; Killer Due for Sentencing -- His Attorney to Make Motions [PDF]
- Broderick plans motion to have Lonergan verdict set aside... New York Times, April 17, 1944 - Article
35 YEARS TO LIFE GIVEN TO LONERGAN; Wife Slayer Rushed to Prison After One Minute in Court -Broderi... [PDF]
With the same apparent indifference that characterized his conduct during both his trials, Wayne Thomas Lonergan heard General Sessions Judge James G. Wallace sentence him yesterday to "thirty-five years to imprisonment for the rest of your natural life" ... New York Times, April 18, 1944 - Front Page
LONERGAN FILES CLAIM TO FORTUNE; Must Win Appeal From Murder Sentence for Right to Share in His Wif... [PDF]
Wayne T. Lonergan, who was convicted of the second-degree murder of his estranged wife, Mrs. Patricia Burton Lonergan, heiress of the Bernheimer brewing fortune, in their Beckman Hill home on Oct. 24, and who subsequently was sentenced to serve thirty-fiv... New York Times, May 17, 1944
LONERGAN CHILD PUT IN MRS. BURTON'S CARE; Grandmother Is Named General Guardian by Surrogate [PDF]
Mrs. Lucile Wolfe Burton, mother of the late Patricia Burton Lonergan, was appointed general guardian of her 21-month-old grandson, Wayne William Lonergan, yesterday by Surrogate James A. Delehanty. The child's mother was slain last October by her husband... New York Times, June 16, 1944 -
J: J. FRESCHI DEAD; A JURIST 84 YEARSI; Member of General Sessions Court Since 1 g31 Was 67-Headed ... [PDF]
death; career; por... New York Times, July 30, 1944 - Obituary
BROBERICK IS APOLOGETIC; Says He Meant No Disrespect to Court at Lonergan Trial [PDF]
- Edward V. Broderick never intended to be "wilfully disrespectful" to the late Judge John J. Freschi in his recent Wayne Lonergan trial, he asserted yesterday in a petition filed in Supreme Court in connection with his application for a writ of certiorari ...New York Times, August 12, 1944 - Article
Broderick Hearing Postponed [PDF] New York Times, September 8, 1944 - Article
ASKS LONERGAN REVERSAL; Attorney Files Motion in Court in Wife-Murder Case [PDF]
Broderick files motion to reverse Lonergan conviction... New York Times, November 18, 1944 - Article
LONERGAN BOY'S SUPPORT; Guardian Allowed to Draw $300 a Month From Estate [PDF]
Surrogate James A. Delehanty yesterday approved an order for the support and maintenance of Wayne William Lonergan, 2-yearold son of Wayne T. Lonergan, who is now serving a thirty-fiveyear-to life term for the murder of his wife, Patricia Burton Lonergan.... New York Times, December 2, 1944 - Article
LONERGAN LOSES APPEAL; Conviction and Sentence of WifeSlayer Is Affirmed [PDF]
Appellate Div affirms Lonergan conviction... New York Times, February 24, 1945
BRODERICK AVOIDS JAIL; Appellate Division Changes Sentence to $250 Fine [PDF]
Broderick sentence changed to fine... June 28, 1945
LONERGAN PLEA DENIED; Barred From Sharing in Estate of Wife He Murdered [PDF]
W T Lonergan plea to share estate of wife he murdered denied...May 18, 1946
DISCARDS LONERGAN NAME; Son of Man Who Murdered Wife Gets Permission of Court [PDF]
4-yr-old son wins right to change name to W A Burton... February 8, 1947
LONERGAN WILL DISCLOSED; Murder Victim Left $228,798 Estate to Her Son [PDF]
Will disclosed; husband's right to share in estate in litigation... New York Times, November 29, 1947
LAWYERS FACING BAR'S DISCIPLINE; Disbarment of Five Defense Counsel by Associations May Follow Inqu... [PDF]
The five defense lawyers in the Communist conspiracy trial sentenced by Federal Judge Harold Medina to varying jail terms for contempt of court face disciplinary action by the Association of the Bar of City of New York, it was said yesterday.... New York Times, October 15, 1949
Son of Lonergan, Wife Slayer, Inherits Estate of $7,000,000; Boy, 12, to Receive Fund Left in Trust... [PDF]
William Anthony Burton, 12-year-old son of Wayne Lonergan and the late Mrs. Patricia Burton Lonergan, has inherited a $7,000,000 estate created by the will of his great-grandfather, Max Bernheimer.... New York Times, February 6, 1954
E.V. BRODERICK, CRIMINAL LAWYER; Stormy Defense Counsel for Wayne Lonergan Dies-- Held 'Contempt Re... [PDF]
YONKERS, May 10--Edward V. Broderick of 434 West 120th Street, New York, a lawyer with an office at 120 Broadway, New York, died here today at the home of a sister, Miss Lillian Broderick; 216 Park Avenue. His age was 64....New York Times, May 11, 1957 - Special to The New York Times.
MILLARD ELLISON, LAWYER 60 YEARS; Court-Appointed Attorney in Many Criminal Cases Dies --Ran for St... [PDF]
Ellison, Millard H... New York Times, September 25, 1958 - Obituary
LONERGAN SEEKS 2D SLAYING TRIAL; Confession in '43 Wife Killing Is Basis for Appeal [PDF]
Lonergan, (Mrs) W T: husband seeks new trial in Oct '43 slaying; bases appeal on US Sup Ct and NYS Appeals Ct decisions on admissibility of confessions... New York Times, March 9, 1965 - By HOMER BIGART
LONERGAN TELLS OF BEING BEATEN; Says He Was Hit Repeatedly Before 1943 Confession [PDF]
Wayne Thomas Lonergan testified yesterday that he was repeatedly struck in the back of the head with the heel of a hand by persons he could not see during the 16 hours before he signed a confession to the brutal killing of his heiress wife.... New York Times, May 14, 1965
DETECTIVES DEFEND MURDER CONFESSION [PDF]
Two New York detectives who brought Wayne Thomas Lonergan back from Canada in 1943 to face a charge that he had brutally murdered his wife, emerged from retirement yesterday to defend their conduct of the investigation.... New York Times, May 22, 1965
LONERGAN, SLAYER OF WIFE, PAROLED; Deported to Canada, but He Is Appealing '43 Confession [PDF]
Wayne Thomas Lonergan, who was convicted 21 years ago of murdering his heiress wife in her East Side duplex, was paroled yesterday from Clinton State Prison, Dannemora, N.Y., and immediately deported to Canada.... New York Times, December 3, 1965
WAYNE LONERGAN, 67, KILLER OF HEIRESS WIFE
Wayne Thomas Lonergan, convicted, in one of the most sensational...native Toronto at the age of 67. Mr. Lonergan, who was sentenced to 35 years to life...York, and a $7 million fortune, the Lonergan trials of 1944 attracted international... New York Times, January 3, 1986 - By ALBIN KREBS - Obituaries
