SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
AUGUST 16 HK
Sentenced
to death
twice-man says thanks'
HKKK 14/16
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Lam Po, a convicted murderer serving a 30- years jail term for starting a fire in Western District in 1970 in which 11 people died, was sentenced to death in the Criminal Sessions yesterday for another murder he committed in prison.
A smiling 29-year-old Lam bowed to Mr Justice Trainor and a jury of five men and two women after sentence was passed and said: “Thank you, this is what I want. I will not lodge an appeal against the death sentence.”
The jury deliberated for more than three hours before finding Lam guilty of murdering a fellow prisoner in Stanley Prison.
Throughout the trial, Lam repeatedly asked the judge and jury to sentence him to be hanged, as he still had a long prison
sentence to serve.
Lam, who pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, refused the offer of legal representation when Mr Justice Trainor explained to him at the start of the trial that he was facing "a most serious charge."
In 1971, Lam was sentenced to be hanged after he was convicted of murder and arson.
Eleven people died in an early morning fire which was started by him in an electric shop in Connaught Road West.
However, he was saved from the gallows in August last year by the Governor, who commuted the sentence to one of 30 years" imprisonment.
In the prison murder, the Crown's case was that Lam stabbed Lee Puikuen with a home made dagger on November 28 last year, as on act of revenge.
It was said that Lee and another prisoner had attacked Lam with an iron bar on November 1.
As Lam stood in the witness stand to give his defence, he said: "I know I am useless. Please sentence me to be hanged."
Lam noted that there had been "lots of trouble” after his death sentence was commuted to one of 30 years' jail and he was. transferred from the condemned prisoners' block to number “A” cell of the prison.
He accused the deceased. Lee of being a drug addict who always forced him to hand over his daily ration of Fruit, eggs and bread so that he could exchange it for "white powder” (drups).
On November 1, last year. Lam said he was attacked by Lee and another prisoner with an iron bar because he refused to hand over his food.
I went to the prison officers to seek protection, but they replied that they could not prefect nie for as long as 10 years. Lum claimed.
He said that on November 28, Lee approached him again and demanded food. He also accused Lam of having caused him to be punished by the prison authorities for the attack.
1. When he (Lam) refused to
hand over the food, Lee showed a dagger which was tucked in his trousers, Lam said.
"I grabbed hold of his hand. snatched the knife and told him not to come nearer or there I would be death.
"But he dashed forward and I stabbed him," Lam said.
He told Mr Justice Trainor in his defence that he did not agree with certain parts of the evidence of two prison officers.
However, he said he dared not cross examine them during their testimony, and added he would be "looking for death” if he did so.
"I still have to spend more than 20 years in prison. I dare not talk about prison affairs.” he said.
Senior Crown counsel. Mr A. P. Duckett, prosecuted.
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