THE DOPE SCANDAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1919, Page 2

THE DOPE SCANDAL.

DEVEULLE’S PAST HISTORY. r AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION [ LONDON, Jan. 25. At a further hearing of the case arising out of the death of the actress “Billie” Carleton, Deveulle, against whom a verdict of manslaughter was found, admitted that he took five hundred pounds from the prosecutor in a black mail case in May, 1917, and went to America, but he denied that the money was given to him as an inducement to leave the country. Deveulle added, that the prisoners in the ease were nephews to a titled lady with whom Deveulle was staying. He said he was well acquainted with Anna Robinson, and said everyone in West End knew she was addicted to drugs when she imarried Lord Rossley. Deveulle declared that Billie Carleton was a

drug taker years before he met her. Miss Carleton once took refuge in his flat because an American officer, whose proposal of marriage Miss Carleton had rejected persisted in pursuing her, and tried to smash the door of her flat. As a result, the officer was immediately seiit back to America.

DEVEULLE ARRESTED. LONDON, Jan. 25. In his evidence at the inquest' DeV oidle streuiuusly denied supplying Miss Carleton with cocaine. The coroner, in summoning up, said he was glad the disgusting ease had ended, but it was necessary to decide how Miss Carleton got the drugs. The Defence of the Realm Act made it illegal to supply cocaine. Anyone doing so recklessly was guilty of manslaughted under the common law. The jury’s verdict was that death was due to an accidental overdose oi cocaine, and, that Devuelje supplied the cocaine. Deveulle was then arrested.