13-
Thus, it can be seen that although the jury's verdict does not pin point
the actual killer it does show that they concluded that the seven found
guilty intended that anyone who opposed them would be overcome by whatever
force was necessary so to do, even if it meant killing or inflicting
really serious injury.
As to the verdict I have not the slightest doubt as to its
correctness. In my opinion the jury was a highly intelligent and
attentive one. If I were to differ from their decision at all it is,
perhaps, in their finding one of the accused not guilty. It is true
that there was evidence which if accepted could raise a doubt concerning
him, but' personally I would not have accepted it. I mention this simply
to show that the jury clearly gave the fullest attention to the evidence
against each accused and appreciated that where there was a doubt it was
to be resolved in an accused's favour.
The robbery at the Chartered Bank on the 14th August, 1973 was
a cleverly conceived and organised operation, executed with almost
military precision. The bank was entered simultaneously from entrances
in Cheung Wah Street and Un Chow Street. Each individual seemed to have
a pre-arranged task, even to the extent that two of the perpetrators went
provided with plastic bags. That it was the intention of all ruthlessly
to complete the operation might be concluded from the assault on the bank
!
guard who made an effort to draw his gun and oppose them. This
ruthlessness is also reflected in the assault on the Securicor man outside
the bank. On this aspect of the case the kidnapping of three girls may
be taken into consideration; that they released two of them outside must,
I think, be attributed to the fact that there was not room for all in the
get-away car. They did, however, take one terrified girl' with them on the
frantic dash that terminated with the crash at Tonkin Street junction.
It was argued that although shots wore fired in Tonkin Street, when