POISONING MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20341, 23 August 1929, Page 11

POISONING MYSTERY.

SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE.

WOMAN'S EXHUMED BODY.

TRACES OF ZINC FOUND

CHARGE AGAINST HUSBAND. (Received August' 22, 10.15 p.m.) SYDNEY. Aus. 22. The Sydney city coroner is conducting an inquest into the circumstances surrounding tho death six years ago of Mrs. Marion l'caison, second -wife of Walter I!.. Pearson. The woman's body was locality exhumed. A pathological examination revealed traces of poison in tho remains. The. husband of deceased, who is now married to a third wife, Helena, is on remand on a charge of murder. In giving evidence to-day Dr. Turner said ho had treated Mrs. Marion Pearson at Marrickviilo in 1023. lie had certified that she was suffering from chronic nephritis. Eventually he had found that she was suffering from advanced kidney trouble.

The woman's condition could have been caused by some irritant poison. There was nothing in her husband's attitude or conduct, however, to suggest that ho was responsible for it or that there had been any foul play. Allegations of 111-Treatment.

Walter Fcnwick, a brother of the dead woman, said she bad complained of pains iu the kidneys and swelling of the legs. She had refused food. Also she had complained that her husband had ill-treated her and that he always used to be scheming.

Witness said his sister had appealed to hint for protection. On one occasion witness and the husband came to blows. Just before his sister died Pearson employed Miss Helena, McWalkcr, who came from New' Zealand, to keep his house and take care of his wile. Subsequently Pearson made her his third wife. Mrs. Firth, a cousin of deceased, stated that she had seen plain traces of ill-treat-ment on the woman's legs, arms and body. Illness of the Present Wife. Dr. Palmer, a Government medical officer, said zinc was not a deadly poison. A fairly large quantity would have to be taken to do any harm. According to the analyst's report there seemed to have been an abnormal amount of zinc in the body of deceased. Dr. Clicslerman, who attended tbo present Mrs. Pearson in March, 1929, said she suffered from pains in the limbs and failing eyesight. Eventually she developed symptoms of a puzzling nature.

Witness questioned the woman and she told him' her tea sometimes had a sweetish taste. Pearson told him he had no faith in doctors.

Dr. Cbestcrman said he had formed the. opinion that Pearson's present wife was suffering from chronic zinc poisoning. At this stage the inquest was adjourned.

A message from Sydney on August 5 stated detectives were closely investigating the mysterious illness of Mrs. Helena Pearson, a native of New Zealand, at' the Sydney Hospital. To-night they arrested her husband, Walter Uufus Pearson, aged 55, a painter, on a charge of wife murder in October, 1923. The police state that Pearson was three times married, the first time about 10 years ago, and the second in 1923. The body of his second wife was exhumed a few days ago. Pearson is further charged with having administered chloride of zinc to his present wife between April and August 5 with intent to murder her. On August 6 Pearson was before the Sydney Police Court on the murder charge. Counsel for the prosecution said traces of poison had been found in the woman's body. Accused wAs remanded in custody, bail being refused. All the food taken by Pearson to his present wife, Helena, in the Sydney Hospital was seized and analysed.