POISONED CHOCOLATES.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19659, 20 August 1935, Page 7

POISONED CHOCOLATES.

THE HASTINGS CASE. GIRL STANDS TRIAL. ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NAPIER, Tuesday. The (rial of Phyllis Leslie Tui Marshall, aged 18 years, on charges connected with the Hastings poisoned •chocolate case, .commenced in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice Reed. Accused was charged with the attempted murder of Alma Lorraine Keith on May 22 last, and alternatively, that with intent to injure Miss Keith, she attempted to cause her to take poison. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr H. B. Lusk, stated that Miss Keith received a packet through the post which was found to contain chocolates. Miss Keith’s mother became suspiolous and handed the chocolates to the police. When analysed the sweets were found to contain arsenic in sufficient quantity to have caused death. Mr Lusk said it was clear that accused had been in love with a young man named Jack Masters, who was friendly with Miss ■Keith. A mail contractor at ■ Argrle East, where accused resided, had posted a packet for her similar to the one received by Miss Keith. In a statement accused had denied that, she intended to kill Miss Keith, but sajd she wanted to make her sick and give her a good fright. Before sending the chocolates she had tried I lie poison on a cat, which died. Evidence similar to that at the Lower Court hearing is being given. Masters Accused. There was a sensational turn during tho long cross-examination of a witness by Mr Harker, counsel for the defence, when His Honour asked whether It was being suggested that Masters made up the parcel of chocolates and got accused to post them for him. Mr Harker replied that It was. Masters was then warned by the Crown Prosecutor that he was being directly accused of poisoning the chocolates, which witness said ho realised. (Proceeding,)