barkmoss do you have LW set to start on computer startup? If yes this might be the reason (LW Prefs>Advanced>System Startup)

1. Else hold down the Option key whilst you empty the Trash. This will force the items to be trashed even if they are locked (unless they're being used by the system.)
2. The other alternatives are to take out of trash & then startup in os9 if you have it, & trash them that way.
3. Else startup using your mac startup disk. Then delete them.
4. Else put them into a folder, & move items with the same name & drop into that folder to replace them.
5. Go to the files info (select & apple & i keys, change permissions to you & make sure they are read & write & not locked. Then try the above techniques.