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 85

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That brings us to the statement of the prisoner himself.

"I was sitting quietly as becomes a man of peace at a

stall at Ng Kui's when I was again approached by Leung Ki

and Chan Kam On. I told them again that I had no money and

so I could not pay them. Then they became abusive. Then

Leung Ki, (who, we have been told was a slight small fellow,

21 years of age) electrified me by attacking me with what

we have heard described as "western form of attack," the

old use of the fists and he struck me on the ribs on the

right side with his fist. That was not all because he

looked very very angry • When I was struck like that of

course I fell back. I fell back a couple of paces I looked

round hastily and found something to defend myself with and

very providentially saw the chopper, so I picked it up and

I brandished it, and apparently the effect from the

demonstration we got here must have been more like the

propellor of an aeroplane at speed than anything else, a

complete circle of steel going round.

Gentlenen, he has told us in one part of his statement

that he was driven back into a corner, that he was unable

further to retreat, and that it was because he was unable

further to retreat and because he was in fear of assault

a dual assault from Leung Ki and Chan Kam On that he was

forced to take up that chopper in self-defence.

It is to the credit of Mr. Chen that having outlined

that defence he promptly abandoned it. There is such a thing

as self-defence. There are circumstances in which a man

would be entitled to claim an acquittal as a free man at

your hand if when attacked by superior forces and having

backed till he could retreat no further, he had resisted

them by the use of a weapon. But no one has suggested