POISONING SENSATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 749, 23 August 1929, Page 9

POISONING SENSATION

ZINC FOUND IN EXHUMED BODY OF WOMAN CHARGE AGAINST HUSBAND SYDNEY. Thursday. The Sydney city coroner is conducting an inquest into- tne circumstances surrounding the death six years ago of Mrs. Marion Pearson, second wife of Walter R. Pearson. The woman’s body was recently exhumed. A pathological examination revealed traces of poison in the 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 today Dr. Turner said he had treated Mrs. Marion Pearson at Marrickville in 1923. He 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 he was responsible for it or that there had been any foul play. WAS ALWAYS SCHEMING Walter Fenwick, a brother of the dead woman, said she had complained of pains in 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 him for protection. On one occasion witness and the husband had come to blows. Just before his sister died Pearson employed Miss Helena McWalker, who came from New Zealand, to keep his house and take care of his wife. Subsequently Pearson made her his third wife. Mrs. Firth, a cousin of deceased, stated that she had seen plain traces of ill-treatment on the woman’s legs, arms and body. PUZZLING SYMPTOMS 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. Chesterman. who attended the 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. Chesterman said he had formed the opinion that Pearson's present wife was suffering from chronic zinc poisoning. At this stage the inquest .was adjourned.