For discussion
on 18th March 1975
SECRET
SKY No.52
24 MAR 1975
PICK 14
XCS(75)3 Copy No
32.60€
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
DISCUSSION OF DEATH SENTENCES
of 40
Mr O'Keefe # 24/3
You will with to see this.
Bofihmady
24/3
On 26th June 1974, seven men were convicted of the murder of a police sergeant and were sentenced to death. The report to the Governor by the Honourable Mr Justice Trainor, the trial transcript and the judge's summing-up have already been circulated. An appeal by the prisoners against conviction was considered by the Full Court and dismissed on 2nd December 1974.
2
This memorandum replaces memorandum XCR(75)53 (which has already been distributed to Honourable Members) with the exception of the following annexures which should be treated as annexures to this memorandum:
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(a) the trial judge's report;
(b) the judgment of the Full Court;
(c) a note by the Attorney General;
(d) petitions for clemency by the prisoners;
(e) a petition for clemency submitted on CHAN Hung's
behalf by his solicitors;
(f)
a report by the Director of Home Affairs;
(g) reports by the Probation Officers;
(h) police antecedent statements.
As this case is an unusual one, the Governor has indicated that he would be grateful for the informal advice of Honourable Members. The case will, in due course, be submitted to Honourable Members for their formal and substantive advice.
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Annexed to this memorandum is a copy of XCSI(73)2 · Death Sentence on LAM Po as a basis for discussion.
14th March 1975
(COU 5/2647/74 (TS 6/75))
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COUNCIL CHAMBER