DEATH OF AN ACTRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 6

DEATH OF AN ACTRESS

EvTDENCE OF BLACKMATL. LOWER STRATA OF LDJE. Press Association—H? Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.5 p.m.) At the further hearing of the case arising out of the death of the actress Billie Carleton, Deveulle admitted that he took £500 from the prosecutor in a blackmail case in May, 1917, and went to America, but denied that the money was given as an inducement to him to leave the country. Deveulle added that the prisoners were nephews of a titled lady, -with -whom he was staying. He was well acquainted with Anna Robinson, and said that everyone in the West End knew she was addicted to drugs when she married Lord Rossley. Deveulle declared that Miss Carleton was talcing drugs for years before he met her. She once took refuge in his flat because an American officer, whose proposal of marriage she had rejected, persisted in pursuing her, and had tried to smash the door of his flat. As a result the officer was immediately sent back to America.

Deveulle strenuously denied supplying " Billie * Carleton witi. cocaine.

The coroner, in summing up, said he was glad the disgusting case had ended, but it was necessary to decide how Miss Carleton got the drugs. The Defence of the Realm Act made it illegal to supply cocaine, and anyone so doing recklessly was guilty of manslaughter under common law. The jury's verdict was that death was due to an accidental overdose of cocaine, and Deveulle had supplied the cocaine.. Deveulle was arrested.