CHARGED WITH POISONING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3128, 26 January 1911, Page 5

CHARGED WITH POISONING.

MILLIONAIRE’S WIFE ON TRIAL. Astonishing evidence has been rendered at tlie trial at Wheeling, Virginia, of .Mrs. Scheuck, on a charge of administering poison to her millionaire husband.

The nurse who attended Selienck during his illness testified that accused had lost her love for her husband, who was too much of a business man to suit her. She wanted a young society blood, as. because of her wealth, she felt she was entitled to enter society. The ’ nurse also stated that Mrs Selienck substituted dummy bottles, containing arsenic and sugar of lead for the real medicine. When asked by tlie prosecution if the defence intended to rely on a plea of insanity, counsel for 31 rs Selienck replied that ho proposed to establish his client's innocence bv direct evidence, which would show tliat the motive and opportunity of the crime lay with another.

The attorneys are strenuously contesting tlie conspiracy charges in connection with the precautions taken by accused against losing her husband’s millions, and also the confessions by a youthful music-shop clerk that he had clandestinely met Mrs Selienck. The woman’s counsel says lie will leave such testimony unrefuted, as the average juryman's sympathies are not built to absorb the foulness- of a betrayal. This statement is regarded as an indication that tlie attorney is looking to sentiment to influence tlie verdict. £2OO FOR A “KNOCK-OUT” PILL.

Giving evidence. at the trial at Wheeling, Virginia, of Mrs. Selienck. on a charge of administering poison to her millionaire husband, Eleanor Zorkier (who Ins also been described at Miss Ivline), the nurse-de-tective whose instructions were to leave nothing undone to catch Mrs Selienck, testified 1 that Mrs Selienck offered her £2OO to give Selienck a “knock-out’ pill, or place poisoned medicine at his bed-side. The witness also declared that when she asked accused how she would stand it if Scheuck died, the reply was, “I would wear a double veil so that the people would not see me laughing.