WARNED AGAINST ROE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8341, 30 January 1913, Page 11

WARNED AGAINST ROE

THE TREVANION CASE DECEASED’S MOTHER'S DIS. COVERY IX uEaTU-ROOM. ,]jy Telegraph—Prcfis Association Copyright LUXDUX, January 28. At the inquest regarding tlio death of Hugh TTovaaion, a victim ol the veronal habit, who was supposed to havo been accidentally killed by an overdose of Lho drug, but who ib is now thought may have been murdered. Joiner, a butler, was closely examined concerning & bottle ol hock jrcyamon drank in Roe's presence immediately prior to unconscious. Deceased’s mother gave evidence that sho was on good terras with nor son, and warned him against giving .Roe money. When sho reached Drighton, Roe objected to an inquest being hold. Ho claimed tlio ownership of tho Hat. and .said he would put her out if sho made any fuss. Ho locked tho bedroom and pocketed the key. Later, Roe desired to enter, and she accompanied Idm. Koo looked for something. After Koo was asleep she searched tho death-room alone, and found a man’s handkerchief, not her son’s, with an empty cachet beneath. This had been opened with a pm or knife. Sho did not believe her son died by his own hand. Roe gives his evidence on ihursday.

It was reported on January 1-lth .that Mr Hugh Trevankui, a confirmed victim of the veronal habit, died at Hove, >Susvex, in September last, and, it was supposed that he had accidentally taken an overdose of the drug, but it was now thought that ho may have boon murdered. Ho wan a grandson of & l r Hamel. Cooper. His will, disposing ot XoO.OOO. was tliaputed. Tho hulk of tho iortuue was left outside his family. Later it was stated that after Trevanion had toured tho world, ho fo-fined a deep friendship for a man named A. iioe. They lived together. Ivoo at tho first inquest testified that Trevanion had said ho had taken an overdose of veronal. Trevanion was unconscious before tho doctors arrived, and died two days latet. A post-mortem exam mat) un was not held, though deceased's mother urged there should bo one. Tho High Court ordered a second inquest. In her evidence at tho inquiry tho mother of Irevanion said tho doctors had repeatedly warned Trevtnion against the drug habit. Ho lived much apart licnn his family. Mr Muir, on behalf of tho Crown, said Trevaninn had been in tho habit of taking a cachet containing seven grains, in order to induce sleep, and sometimes a second one. It would have been impossible to have taken more m error. Hoe’s statement was tho only proof that Trevanion took veronal prior to becoming unconscious. Five caveats have been lodged against TTovanion's will. With the exception of legacies of .£1550, ho left tho residue to Itoo or to hospitals if Roo predeceased him. Both men lived in sumptuous apartments at Hove. 'XTovaidou met Roe two yeaio ago aboard a liner whereof Koo was an officer. Trevanion was seriously ill and Roo nursed him. This resulted in tno closest friendship between tho two men. At the inquest on January 26th the Home Office experts testified that death was consistent with veronal poisoning. a large quantity would take three days before causing death. There were indications that Trevanion was of depraved habits. Trevanion’s doctor gave evidence that he had previously attended deceased for veronal poisoning. On the last occasion Roe, on witness's instructions, administered an emetic pending his arrival. Other evidence at tho inquest showed that in 1912 Trevanion transferred .X7OOO worth of securities to Itoo.