CO129-550-6 Rex v. Ng Loi Yuen- request review of trial and exercise of prerogative of mercy... 22-11-1934 - 21-12-1934 — Page 3

M

I understand that intervention by

the Secretary of State in a case of this kind

is only undertaken in the most exceptional

circumstances.

It is impossible to determine

to what extent (if any) the Secretary of State

would be prepared to intervene in the present

case without a full knowledge of the facts.

The noteworthy features of the case are:-

(1)

that the Jury at the first trial were

unable to agree;

(2)

that the Jury at the second trial

strongly recommended mercy; and

(3)

that the Bishop of Hong Kong is

sufficiently disturbed in his own mind at the

possibility of injustice being done to be

prompted to write direct to the Secretary of

State asking him personally to review the case.

The Bishop's letter should, of course,

have been submitted through the Governor, but

if it is decided to review the case the need

for taking immediate steps to that end is

urgent and we should

(1)

? telegraph to the Governor

saying that a letter has been

received from the Bishop

(a) to the affect that notwithstanding

a strong recommendation for mercy by the

Jury the Governor, after consideration of

the case in Executive Council, has felt

& reprieve

himself unable to parton Ng Loi Yuen who

is under sentence of death for murder, and

(b) requesting the Secretary of State

personally to review the case of which

details