POISONING CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1933, Page 6

POISONING CASE

NURSE FACES THREE CHARGES. DRUG administered TO .CHILD. ! (Per Press Association — Copyright. ) AUCKLAND, February 27. The trial of a nurse, Elspetli Kerr, on charges of administering poison to Dorothy Cameron with intent to injure, and so that her eye was endangered, was opened this morning. The date of the three alleged offences were April 8, 10, and 16 of last year. , The Crown Solicitor (Air Meredith), prosecuted, and Air It. A. Singer and Air W. Aleck defended.

Inspector Cummings of the Police Commissioner’s office was present withAir Meredith, and said that poisoning charges were fortunately rare: In this case there was no ascertainable motive that was sufficiently strong to impel a normal person to commit the crime of poisoning. The child to whom the poison had been administered was accused’s own fosterchild, who had been well cared for by accused, and showed the greatest affection for her. Mr Meredith .strongly warned the jury not to allow any preconceived opinion to influence their judgment. Uaifortunately the case had been repeatedly 'brought before the public notice. He referred to the exhumation of the bodies which the police, ]yd tried to perform as quietly as possible. The .publication of the fact of these exhumations had given rise to a. rumour. He asked the jury to dismiss absolute,’y anything that they had heard or read. Air Meredith said that the poison concerned was veronal, whicn is in fay.’lv common use, card also very dangerous. It- could be bought freely and was not listed as a poison. of which chemists mr-st keep a register. It was a habit forming drug. Accused lrerself was a drug addict. For medicinal purposes t' lß close was from five to ten grains. The average fatal dose* was 50 grains. Ala* Meredith said that-the charges concerned only the child Cameron, but there would be evidence of other suggested poisonings. The circumstances of tiwo 1 previous sudden deaths in. accused’s nursing home wore euspiciouu.. Her Inns band died on January .10, 1932, after being in a state of coma for 36 hours. A .Airs Day died on. .September 23, 1932, after a coma of 23 hours, lit the' first case the eorfTiioate of death was that death \das due to cerebral haemorrhage. Last 'August the body was exhumed and the autopsy showed that death was mot due to haeiriorrhage, hut to the effects of veronal’, of which over IS grains were found. The examination of Airs Day’s body showed that there was no sign of a recent stroke, but veronal was found.

After detailing the evidence it was proposed to call!,. Mr Meredith read a lengthy statement by accused, and remarked tliait explanation tlierc given, would net account for tbo severe symptoms caused by veronal poison-