POISON SWEETS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 191, 21 August 1935, Page 5

POISON SWEETS

Accused Girl’s Evidence

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST YOUTH

CASE CONTINUED TO-DAY

(Per Press Association).

NAPIER, This Day. The poisoned chocolates case was continued to-day.

Resuming her evidence, Phyllis Leslie Tui Marshall, the accused, recalled a visit she had paid to the storeroom on her father’s property, when she found Masters holding a bottle of arsenic. She was in fear of Masters at the time, having been threatened by him regarding telling anyone the truth of the matter. Witness admitted making a false statement to the police, but said she had made a further statement while in gaol on ’Friday last.

Cross-examined by the Crown Prosecutor, Marshall said that Masters told her repeatedly that he wanted to jioison Alma Keith.

Accused denied that she was jealous of Miss Keith, and said that she never asked Masters what his relations with Miss Keith were. Masters had said he could not break it off with Miss Keith, because of the wishes of his father on whom he depended. He, therefore, considered the best way of disposing of her was “to poison her off.” Accused said she made a false statement to the police because she did not want them to get Masters. lEdith Lilian Marshall, mother of accused, said she had not approved of the friendship between Masters and her daughter, and tried unsuccessfully to discourage it. Witness said that Masters had known of the presence of arsenic in the storeroom. Evidence of Accused's Father. David Marshall, father of accused, recalled a visit which Masters paid to his house. Witness answered the door and Masters, on seeing him, started back a few feet. Witness saw an object swinging in his hand. He asked Masters what he wanted and received no answer for a minute. Then Masters asked to see another station employee, w T ho was at the house. Later he found a heavy iron gate hinge lying on the grass near the house.