CO129-584-14 Commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment. Includes 9 photographs depicting- [CN 3-42] Commutation of... 22-12-1939 - 17-9-1940 — Page 6

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

N

6

strong recommendation to mercy.

The jury was an exceptionally good one,

containing five Europeans, and a strong recommendation from

them naturally carries considerable weight. I am able to

add my own recomendation to theirs in this case for the

reason that I am not absolutely convinced that the condermed

man's act necessarily amounts to murder. I had occasion to

coment strongly on the bad presentation of the cace by the

Police, and I have since been informed that though thore is

a police officer on duty outside the Camp he is not allowed

to enter it, and that when at last the police wore allowed

to enter to make the necessary investigations they found

that all the bloodstained garmacnta had been washed, the

floor of Hall No. 2 had been scrubbed and all clues had been

carefully and thoroughly romoved.

In the absence of that evidence the caBO

depends so greatly on the testimony of Lo Yee the only

eye-witness that I should prefer that the law in this cass

do not take its course.

Copies of the notes of evidence, documentary

exhibits and my charge to the jury accompany this report.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

༢དམ་སབ

Quefagr.

Chief Justice.

His Excellency,

Lieut.-General E.F.Norton, C. B. D. S. O., M. C.,

Officer Adminstering the Government,

Hong Kong,

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.