XN000022-1976-06-25 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1976

REPORT ON LEUNG WING-SANG CASE PUBLISHED

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THE REPORT OF MR. JUSTICE T.L. YANG WHO CONDUCTED THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE LEUNG WING-SANG CASE WAS PUBLISHED TODAY FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.

THE REPORT REFUTES THE SUGGESTION THAT LEUNG WAS FRAMED FOR OFFENCES WHICH HE DID NOT COMMIT AND MAKES CLEAR THAT NONE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES REVIEWED IN THE INQUIRY COULD HAVE HAD ANY PREJUDICIAL EFFECT ON THE CONDUCT OF LEUNG'S DEFENCE AT HIS TRIAL. NOR COULD THESE CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE HAD ANY MATERIAL EFFECT ON THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT LEUNG WING-SANG WAS CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF LAU WAH AND ON SIX COUNTS OF WOUNDING IN 1973 AND SENTENCED TO DEATH. HIS SUBSEQUENT APPEAL AGAINST THE CONVICTION WAS DISMISSED IN 1974 AND LATER HIS SENTENCE WAS COMMUTED TO A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

THE JUDGE EXPLAINS THE LAW OF COMMON INTENTION IN RELATION TO MURDER WHICH APPLIED IN LEUNG'S CASE AND THERE IS NO GROUND FOR CHALLENGING THE VERDICTS THAT LEUNG WAS GUILTY OF MURDER AND WOUNDING.

A COPY WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT, PASSED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MR. BRIAN SLEVIN WHO FORMED A SPECIAL SQUAD UNDER A SUPERINTENDENT TO REINVESTIGATE THE MURDER OF LAU WAH AND THE RELATED CIRCUMSTANCES.

AS A RESULT OF THAT INVESTIGATION, FIVE OTHER PERSONS HAVE NOW BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF LAU WAH AND WITH SIX COUNTS OF WOUNDING.

ONE FORMER POLICE OFFICER AND A SERVING POLICE OFFICER HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO DEFEAT THE ENDS OF JUSTICE ARISING FROM THEIR CONDUCT DURING THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE ATTACK ON THE CACTUS APARTMENT HOUSE.

IN ADDITION TO THESE ARRESTS AND CHARGES ARISING FROM THE CACTUS APARTMENT INVESTIGATION, TWO POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOW SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AND HAVE BEEN INTERDICTED FROM DUTY.

THE SHORTCOMINGS REVEALED BY THE INQUIRY AND THE SUBSEQUENT POLICE INVESTIGATION HAVE RESULTED IN THE INTRODUCTION OF VARIOUS PROCEDURES TO TIGHTEN THE CONTROL OVER SERIOUS CRIME INVESTIGATIONS.

COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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