THE CORNISH MYSTERY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20097, 28 November 1930, Page 13

THE CORNISH MYSTERY.

SUMMING UP BY CORONER. (UITITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BT ELECTRIC TEI.EOBAPH—COPTBIQHT.) LONDON. November 26. "I have not the slightest doubt that Mrs Thomas died from arsenic poisoning. She had a big dose at the beginning of her illness, and probably & second dose later," said Dr. Lister, who attended her. The doctor added : £ "It looked as if the poison was not administered by chance; so I ordered her removal to hospital." The Coroner, summing up, expressed the opinion that there was no evidence to show that, the arsenic was taken accidentally or suicidally. Mrs Thomas was too ill to take a second dose. Also, there wa.s no reason for suicide, as she was happily married, and there was no evidence of a motive for the administration of poison by her husband or Mrs Hearn, who was equally a friend of both Mr and Mrs Thomas. There was no evidence of the husband's guilty association with Mrs Hearn. while his actions during his wife's illness were incompatible with u;uilt The husband might have been indiscreet to have Mrs Hearn frequently visiting the farm and causing gossip, also m lending her £3B; but indiscretions were not guilt There was no evidence that Mrs Hearn was contemplating becoming the second Mrs Thomas, although there was a strong assumption that she administered the poison. There was also no ev dance that she indicated which sandwich Mrs Thomas should take, or that she poisoned the other food. Mrs Beam's letter was canable of two constructions one of which was fear at Parsons's remarks but it was strange that she jumped to the conclusion that Mrs Thomas was poisoned before the analyst's report was known _ The evidence also contained things in her favour. A verdict was returned that death was due to poisoning, there being insufficient evidence to indicate by whom it was administered.