ALLEGED POISONING.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18802, 25 November 1932, Page 3

ALLEGED POISONING.

BROTHER CHARGED. NEW ZEALANDER IN SYDNEY. DETECTIVE TELLS OF QUARRELS. Following their investigations into the poisoning of 'Charles Edward Champion, 30, a recent arrival from New Zealand, who became violently ill in a city picture theatre after drinking a bottle of lemonade, detectives brought a charge against his brother, George William Champion, 45, steward, says a Sydney ipaiper. The lemonade bottle from which Charles Champion drank was found by the Government Analyst to contain cyanide. It is alleged that the lemonade was bought by George Champion. In court a detective told of quarrels between the two. The investigations were carried out by Detective-Sergeants Quinn and Arnold, of the C.'1.8., and the charge is only rarely used —that he maliciously caused Charles Champion to take cyanide so as to endanger his life. At' the interval in the performance, according to the police story, George Champion went to a nearby confectionery shop and bought two small bottles of lemonade, the stoppe*? of which were removed by the shopassistant. Champion gave his brother one bottle and fkeipt the ,other himself. They returned to their stalls seats and drank from their respective hojtles. Violent Sickness. Hardly had Charles Champion placed his emptied bottle under the seat when ire grew dizzy and commenced to vomit. “ That lemonade tasted bitter,” he said to his brother.

Champion grew sleadily worse. His dizziness became more intense and after further violent sickness he commenced to perspire freely and was finally seized with agonising pains. The incident created a stir in the theatre. An attendant helped George Champion to lead his brother outside, where he was given a glass of water. Charles Champion showed little improvement, and wa's taken to hospital.

The police were informed and a few minutes after Champion was admitted to hospital arrived in a wireless car.

They took possession of the bottles and after a conference with DetectiveInspector Miller, acting chief of the C. 1.8., formed the opinion that the bottle had contained a certain poison. This opinion was later confirmed. At the hospital Champion’s sickness continued for a long time.

IN COURT.

POLICE STORY OF QUARRELS. George William Champion appeared before the Central 'Police Court, Sydney, and was remanded until November 24. Bail was allowed. Detective-Sergeant Arnold said that it waS alleged that George Champion attended a theatre with his brother Charles. About 9 o’clock George left the theatre, and returned with two opened bottles of lemonade, one of which he handed to his brother.

“ Shortly after drinking the lemonade,” said ‘Detective-Sergeant Arnold, “Charles Champion was taken violently i'll, and rushed to hospital. “ The bottle from which Champion took the lemonade was forwarded to the Government Analyst, and his report states that definite traces of cyanide were found in the remainder of the lemonade." Mr Laidlaw asked Detective Arnold if .police investigations had disclosed any quarrels between the two brothers.

“ Yes,” replied Arnold. “ The two men quarrelled early last week, and again on Sunday. Charles Champion, who is a recent arrival from New Zealand, had a considerable sum of money jn his possession, and defendant has only a few shillings.”