THE LATE MR JOHN C. SEXTIE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1659, 12 June 1875, Page 2

THE LATE MR JOHN C. SEXTIE.

Death from Strychnine

The enquiry into the cause of the sudden death of Mr John Charles Sextie, on the Bth instant, at his residence, College Road, was resumed this afternoon, at the Suffolk Hotel, before Dr Philson, coroner, and a jury of fifteen, Wm. Hartshorn, foreman. The public are already in possession of the facts of this case, which appeared in the Evening Star of the sth and 6th instant, when the enquiry was adjourned in order to give Dr. Hooper time to examine the contents of the.stomach. Dr. John Henry I. Hooper, in extension of his evidence, deposed that he had analysed the stomach of the deceased, and found therein distinct traces of strychnine. There must have been large quantities taken. In regard to not finding symptoms of the poison apparent,, he found it was not always the case. The quantity of alcohol also taken by deceased would prevent spasms. He had no reason to doubt but that deceased took the poison himself. He could not positively say whether it was administered or not, but he was clearly of opinion that death resulted from strychnine. ~•■/;••• .-a -i This being the case the jary retired to consider their verdict, and after half-an-hour'a deliberation, were unanimously of opinion that John Charles Sextie die* from the effects of strychnine, bat by whom administered there was no evidence to show.