1929-01-26 — Page 8

SENSATIONAL TURN IN MURDER

DRAMA.

DEFENCE ACCUSE WITNESS OF CRIME!

BERNSEN'S EMPHATIC DENIALS,

MAGISTRATE DOUBTS HIS UNDERSTANDING OF ENGLISH.

Startling developments occurred at the resumed hearing of the s.s. Boyal Arrow drama yesterday morning when Lewis Pedersen, a Danish seaman, was charged on remand before Mr. E. W. Hamil- ton at Kowloon Magistracy with the wilful murder on Friday last of John Zetterberg, & Danish messman, by striking him on the head with a full bottle of beer in the oilers' cabin of the ship, when alongside the Standard Oil Company's wharf at Laichikok

At previous hearings it was alleged that the men had been drinking heavily and had quarrelled

Witness Censured.

The case was to have re-opened nt 9 o'clock, but owing to the ab sence of Bernsen, the proceedings did not commence until 9.15 When bis Worship arrived, Inspector Lane apologised for the witness' absence Although he had already left the ship:

་

His Worship: If there's going to be any trouble like that I shall commit him to prison. When is the ship sailing!

Inspector Lane: At noon to-day as far as I am aware.

His Worship How do we stand now, Mr. Marton 1.

Mr. Marton: I only want to put a few more questions to this man and then I will reserve my defence.

His Worship then adjourned until the arrival of Bernson.

Shortly after the Court rose" the witness appeared and Inspector Lare apologised for the delay and said there had been some delay on account of Bernsen packing his luggage.

Berasen then went back into the witness box for cross-examination.

Arguments Resumed."

THE HONG KONG

During the subsequent ghting after this did you interfere -After the first time they had a drink and then the argument stopped.

I

When they sat down the argument began again --Yes,

And you again stopped them 7--- No, not that time: the third time.

You interfered the third time. Did they stop -Yes, I went be tween them.

You hit Pedersen, did you —Yes, I hit Pedersen,

Did you hit Zetterberg 1-No. Now with regard to Federsen hitting Zetterberg on the back of the neck with a bottle, I think your story on Wednesday was that he suddenly got up, started punching him, and then without an rarning ho picked up a bottle ar across the back of the ne

That isn't the kind of would do -No, I was sitt the other side.

bima Tes.

you On

Yes, but would you do that kil of thing -No.

Witness admitted that it was a very strange thing for Pedersen to have done.

Mr. Marton: Surely, Mr, Bern- sen, there must have been some

other reasons!-1 don't know, they were talking about boxing.

Sagging In A Chair.”

Talk Of Stolan Money.

That's the only reason you can Mr. Marton: You remember the think oft Because they were talk- last question I put to you on Wed-ing about boxing 7-Yes... nesday was that the main topic of conversation in the cabin between"

5:30 and 9.30 p.m. was the question whether you had stolen this money from Zetterberg -No; he did not He said he lost his

say that, -money; that's all.

Didn't he say, "I am going to find out who took it at all costs! "I asked him how much he lost, but

he did not say. He just said he

lost the money.

Pedersen got up; punched bim and hit him on the head 1-Yes.

Mr. Marton the questioned wit ness as regards their respective positions in the cabin. Witness said that Zetterberg and Pederson were sitting on one bunk, while he was en another.

Now you say that after he punch. ed him, Zetterberg was on the bunk-Yes.

bunk the finished punching him he was still on the bunk 1-Yes,

When Pedersen hit him with the bottle he was still on the bunk Yegr

After he had been hit by the Did he say, "I am going to find bottle what happened to deceased out who took this money at all-He didn't say anything. He wen costs?"-Yes, he said that but I all gone I think told him it would be "bard game."

You will also remember that I put it to you that the only reason why Zetterberg should have been angry was because this money had been stolen-He was angry, all right.

And the person he was really angry with was you 1-Yea.

And you also said that neither you.nar Zetterberg accused the pris oner of having stolen this money No.

Now, you say you went down to the cabin at five o'clock. Can you tell me when this question of boxing first turned up 1-Almost right away. Pedersen said he was boxer.

Barely the first thing Zetterberg started to talk about was this

money; then Pedersen started to talk about boxing --Yes.

the time.

Fighting Or "Sparring" Granting that, when did they start the talk It was about six o'clock.

Yes, but when they started 1-It

was about six o'clock

Did he remain on the bunk 1-Tes When I returned he was moved; ho was sagging in a chair.

Do you know how he got on the chair 1-No.

Now, Mr. Bernsen, have you read any of the papers?-No...

or three Within the last two days 7-No. I don't read any of them:

Do you remember that on Wednes- day I asked you if you remembered seeing Zetterberg throwing a bottle at the prisoner No.

You don't remember I asked you the question Yea

And you said No-Yes. Did you ever hit Zetterberg - At any time that night -No.

Accusations And Denials.

No.

..

I am going to suggest direct to you, Mr. Bernsen, that you caused

If

2

DAILY PRESS SATURDAY, JANUARY 26th, 1929.

I

Mr. Marton: Bernsen said pro- vinnsly thing Zetterberg had accused him of the theft of the money and was angry with him. Hi vidence to-day is simply a flat contradition.

His Worship examined Bernsen on this point.

KOWLOON COURT CAMEOS

[By HUMANIST."]

"Hello!" exclaimed Mr. E W. Hamilton cheerily, "you got 19 strokes here the other day, did

Inspector Lane: It seems rather peculiar to me that these allegations | should be made at this very late stage of the proceedings. There have been no suggestions before that Bernsen had killed Zetterberg. * Magistrată: !* 15% is mainly owing to the peenhas circumstances of

After a time, it was apparent the case that I have permitted the that the witness applied the same defence to recall this witness.

menning to the words with and wish to be perfectly fair to the demand the Magistrată observed lence and am taking into considers that he would enter a note on the tion the fact that the defence has deposition to the effect that Bern-you!" had very little time to prepare.

sen's command of English was such their case. That is why I have that he might have misconstrued allowed a certain amount of latitude, the questions put to him at former also they would probably have ask

hearings, de ed for week's remand.

Inspector Lane: If the defence have been rushed, Your Worship, so have the police.

Magistrate: I know, but it hits both ways and one must be per, fectly fair and just on nil counts.

The cross-examination was then

resumed.

Another Adjournment. Answering Inspector Lane, wit ness said that Zetterberg was not angry with Pedersen at the loss of his money but was only angry with witness.

His Worship pointed out that it had to be remembered that the men were drunk the whole afternoon and ono. moment they might be at enmity with each other while the next moment they might kiss each other.

When asked if Zetterberg accused him of stealing the money Bernsen replied in the negative.

"I will leave the Judge to make his own ruling upon this point." added Mr. Hamilton.

Inspector Lane suggested that what the witness had meant was that Zetterberg had been angry with everybody but only showed his anger in the company of the wit- ress. ---

Inspector Lane then suggested, in view of the allegations made by the defence, that witness be asked if Pedersen had made any such ac cusations against him while the two were being taken ashore from the Royal Arrow, as they were both in a certain state of sobriety then. Es had ample opportunity to do then.

༞ * །

Ah!" said the Bench. "I will give him one more chance and see that he gets a little more educa tion this time. Twelve "strokes:"

The Magistrate gazed reflectively for a moment at the prisoner's disappearing back as he was led 80 "I don't know but what some of down below to receive his medicine, these people would prefer a month's hard labour to the strokes," he mused.

His Worship: In order to get that point clear, I shall recall all the police witnesses at the next hearing.

The case was adjourned until 11.30 a.m. on Thursday next.

SHOT BY POLICE SERGEANT.

MAN LINGERS THREE MONTHS WITH

FRACTURED SPINE.

THE INQUEST STORY.

Mr. E. W. Hamilton opened the inquest proceedings in Kow- loon Magistracy yesterday afternoon in connection with the death on the 7th instant of Ip Yuk Kwi, who was shot by Police Lance Sergeant Williamson on October, 20th last.

The jury consisted of Messrs. Chambers, L. J. "Cave, and Osman

Madan,

Instructing the jury, the Coroner said there was little difficulty in ascertaining the cause of death or the facts concerning the case. Lance Sergeant Williamson who fired the fatal shot was a European officer in charge of a picket.

Police Officer's Rights.

The police were officers to whom the duty of enforcing the "law was entrusted, but they were not, for that reason, placed above the law, observed Mr. Hamilton. The rights of police officers to fire a shot were very clearly laid down by law. There were precedents of cases mmilar to this one. In order that the jury could be quite clear upon the matter Mr. Calthrop would be called to state what were the

officer's rights in the matter,

Outlining the case, Mr. Hamilton said the picket started out from Yaumat Police Station' at 8 p.m. in the evening. When they turned round the corner of the sea wall by Mong Kok Ferry Wharf, a member of the picket flashed a torch and a number of men were found sitting down! They leapt to their feet and ran away in various directions.

""

The picket pursued two of the men who ran in to the coal yard. The picket shouted to the men to stop but they continued to run. A shot was fired and one of the men was seen to fall. The picket

found deceased lying with a bullet through his back. He was rushed off to hospital immediately.

„

Warning To Jury.

"If you find that Sgt. Williamson, was not justified in firing the sbot," said the Coroner to the jury, "it will be your duty to return a verdict accordingly.

.

THE EVIDENCE. "Bullet Wound In The Back!! Dr. Newton, of Kowloon Hospital,

organs.

ja launch and conticued running when the sergeant fired from the

hart. Witness went on to the launca and saw the man lying on the deck with a bullet wound in the back. At the moment that the shot was fired, the man was running across the stern of the launch. The deck was below the level of the wharf.

Questions From The Jury. Fitness did not hear the man, say

TOWN TOPICS.

Identification Parades: Chinese New Year Preparations; Forged Share Scrips; Clubs and Race Sweeps.

[BY R. E PORTER.}

ཀ་་-

spread will once more be brought- out from some obscure corner of the house and be put into commissier.

The trays are quité à valuable. Asset for those who own them. Ta every family and in every shop, ore

Identification Parades. The coole in the dock shuffled uncomfortably. He had been "pre- It might seem a simple matter to sented" with a quantity of build hold a police identification parade. er's iron by a "friend" whom be Get a number of men about the could neither identify nor find. same size as the accused, dress "He bolo it, your Worship," them all, say, in blue coolie suits, declared a phlegmatic Police Ser-put the accused similarly clad of these trays will be on the table- geant.

among them, and then bring out from New Year's Eve for the next will be crystallis your witnesses, who have been kept seven days. On it in s room that does not overlooked.Jotus seeds, melor, ginger, water the place where the parade is to cress, orange peel, cocoa-put and be held. But it is not so simple as the inevitable red melon seeds.

Thess dainties will be offered to ali that, and if it were we should not hear the many sharp criticisms everyons making a New Year visit, recently levelled by the Bench For but the visitors never take more place it is not easy to get men return casually drop a lai see one small irregularities. In the first than a few melon seeds, and in of "more or less similar appearance or two silver coins wrapped up in

A small fee of red paper. to the accused.”' twenty or thirty cents is paid to To rig out an octagon tray costs: men taking part in the parade, but about, but the lai sees often tolal The herbat specialist" gazed this is not much inducement except oser $10 and more in the case of hopefully at the Magistrate who to coolies. Place a University stud-a popular family. was displaying some interest in aent or a aleek young foki amid the bundle of mysterious leaves, roots, horny handed, soos of toil and it and bark which a garrulous Sikh is easy to see who will be picked policeman was holding aloft. out, for the witness knows roughly

the type of person he has to spot.

We do not know if the British constitution gives the police power to go out into the highways and bedges and tempel, them to come in, as they can for jury service. We have not heard of such a law, and thirty cents is poor compensa tion for a business man's morning work, for a sportsman off to the

Forged Share Scrips golf course, for a young man with

Brokers' Alley received a shock an appointment; but only such. powers would chahir satisfactory when the discovery was made that parades. Identification parades if an alleged forged share scrip was carried out rigidly according to being marketed. As the case is ruh regulations and better still if the judice, no more can be said. But Mr. Hamilton blew his nose defending solicitor could be present vigorously.

"He is charged with trespassing and pleads guilty, your Worship," observed the interpreter. Then be will be fined cided Mr. Hamilton.

"And the herbs, Sir!" queried

$5," de-

a Police Inspector.

"Confiscate them," ordered the Magistrate,

And thus another "exhibit" was added to the polico museum.

"What he exclaimed. Twelve fowls in one small basket !!

"There were five on top and seven underneath, your Worship," explained a Chinese constable belp tuly.

"The bottom seven had their feet all tied together.

and was armed with powers of

challenge." would produce evi dence far more satisfactory than is often the ease at present.

Mr. Alabaster, defending a pri soner recently, met the identifica tion evidence by the ples that his client was depressed and pervous and it was no wonder he was back ed out. The nerveste prisoner is a real problem and the worst of it How would be like, to be one is that an innocent man is far more of the bottom fowlst demanded likely to give himself away than the Magistrate,

"Chickens no the coclie.

kwi-kwi!" pleaded

an old hand. It is to the interests

Joes-paper abops are also busy wring characters on pieces of red paper. These are to represent the kitchen and door-step gods and must- be renewed every year.

Merciants are closing their books for the year, and if they are solvent," they remain in the Colony and on- joy the feast. Should their finan cial standing be otherwise, they take a trip to their native homes and spend New Year with the old folks. Chinese creditors are persistent at the end of the year and will peater a. debtor until midnight.

think investors as well as brokers should be warned. I have been told on good authority that there are plenty of forged share scrips float- ing about both the Hong Kong and Shanghai markets.

Apparently there is a master ..... mind behind it and it will be inter- esting to watch development for the present," Examined every scrip in your possession and practise the utmost care when buying more.".

Private Clubs And Race Sweeps. Private clube who run their own

of the public, and of the innocent race sweeps are much perturbed and accused that identification parades annoyed at the regulations. Form- should be carried out with meticu-erly they were allowed to sell as many tickets as they wished, and ¿ It's not a question of no kwi-lous care. Otherwise they help these to charge 20 per cent commi anything nor call out when he was kihut common dense," retorted unfair to the accused. One can siohs, clubs lost no time in organis guilty to get off and are entirely son. Under such favourable condi-

shot. The picket had shouted to the man while he was running away Mr. Hamilton." but he took no notice,

pay $5."

Ile did!

Foreman of the Jury: Did you see any crew on the launch 7-I zaw a member of the crew lying on the deck in the bows. There was no- body in the stern.

Coroner: Why was that man not called?.

:

Mr. Calthrop: This is the first we have heard of him..

Foreman: What happened to that mant

Witness! He merely got up and sat down again.

Coroner: It is admitted that the shot was fired I don't think it asleep at the moment matters about this man as he was Foreman: Holong did the chase

Witness: About two minutes.

Police Regulations. A.S.P. Celthrop said there were definite written instructiona police officers concerning the use of their firearms. He deduced that the. palice were not to fire except in Berious circumstanses.

A copy of the rules were pro duced,

"He will have to sympathise with the keen policeing a sweep of their own. It often

officer who recently asked a wit

bes if he saw sayone at all he proved a greater source of revenue than either members' subscriptions the offender, hoping thereby to get or even har takings. something for the prosecution. But The two Chinese clubs in the The small Chinese boy in Oxford the method was rightly challenard Colony have met with signal success by the defending counsel again and their 910 Champions sweep bags, wearing "an ** R.E” - tie,

Mr. Alabaster who had the stp yields bigger prizes than For all port of the Judge. shuffled uncomfortably,

one conducted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club,

his Western appearance, he could not savce English and required the assistance of the interpreter.

Preparations For Chinese New Year.

The Chinese are now busily pre-

the

All this is to be swept away. Under the new regulations the num "I was not soliciting, fares,paring for their New Year, which ber of tickets which these clubs are falls on February 10th. Shop-keep- allowed to sell is limited, and he pleaded. "I am good bus

ers are displaying their best in the they can only charge ten per cert. conductor and only told the men matter of crystalised fruits and commission.

the Under the circumstances, where the bus was going to. They melon seeds for without these, a

Chinese New Year feast cannot be Jockey Club's sweeps will come into replied considered complete. The octagon their own and the sweep money

came to me first.?!

"I don't believe your pay a fine i tray on which the fruits' sceda are should rival the Shanghai prizes

the Magistrate coldly, of 85.

Here was a pretty puzzle! "Defendant alleges that com plainant struck him first, your geant helpfully," Worship," explained & Police Ser

.w

Mr. Hamiton dipped his pen thoughtfully in the inkwell on his deak.

him."

CENTRAL MAGISTRACY

CASES.

A YOUNG GAMBLER.

TO-DAY'S WIRELESS

"PROGRAMME.

BROADCAST BY G.O.W. ON

380 METRES.

HOTEL.

1,48 p.m.---Weather report. 8.30-8.30 p.m. -- Demonstration programme,

7.48 p.m.-Evening weather re- part.

8 p.m. Evening programme (Columbia records).

the death of this man and it was said deceased was admitted at 9.45

Two boys were charged before Go on be commanded. The defendant keeps a vege- Mr. R. E. Lindsell yesterday morn-" A.S.P. Calthrop: As a matter of It may have been about six not Pedersen at all!

Witness confessed to not under-pop October 20th ruffering from o'clock Yes.

meant by bullet wound in the back. His leg fact, Your Worship, these regula table stat and the complainant ing with unlawful possession of 21 DANCE BAND OF PENINSULA Do you say it was seven o'clock 7-standing what was

"Apparently the that." According to English law i the Sergeant. and when explained that and the lower part of his abdomen tions are laid down to prevent in- keeps a chicken stall, continued po pi lottery tickets. Bemarking. caused They were talking about boxing all the defence alleged it was he who were completely paralysed. Wit discriminate firing by Asiatic men defendant thought that if he bor child under the age of seven years

had killed Zetterberg, he replied, ress performed an exploratory bers of the police force. "No, not me."

operation to ascertain if there was Coroner: You have laid down roped $2 off the complainant he cannot commit a crime," the Magic- dant who was only six years, old. complaturat His Worship: You entirely deny any serious injury to the internal these laws and must stick the would get back part of 39.40 which trate discharged the younger defen queried the The other lad who was 21 years of He found no injury and matter through. These are your in that 7-Yen.

"Did he get it aried th

age admitted having given the the man made an uneventful re-structions: They are the law, and Magistrate Mr.Marten: Mr. Bernsen, I am

that is that!

Yes, your Worship," said the child the tickets to carry and wal going to suggest that Pedersen was covery from the operation.

The Coroner then proceeded to sitting on the far bunk where you An X-ray examination found a

The tickets were confiscated. say you were sitting 1-No. I was bullet lying just in front of the show that the following were in Sergeant. But they quarrelled fined 823 with the alternative of there.

spinal column inside the chest. He effect, the circumstances in which It appears that complainant picked three weeks' hard labour,

for defendant who retaliated by got slowly worse and in the course an officer was justified in firing his up a knife trota his stall and went of two and a half months he died.

picking up a 2ib. weight attached to a piece. "of "cord and cracking complainant over the head with it. The complainant seems to have got

He does!" agreed the Magis the worst of it!"

The defendant broke out in effu. trate ebcerfully. sive Chinese.

"He says" said the interpreter, that it is the complamant's uncle who owes him the $2.40."

But they started fighting straight away?—Yes; they had started already.

The moment they started talking about boxing they started fighting Yes, but not much.

They just sparred up'-Yes. Then you tried to separate them at once-Yes, I tried three or four times,

But didn't you say they were only sparring-I told them they were not going to do it in the cabin,

You thought it was serious enough for you to interfere ?—I tried to stop them.

Magistrate: I am not at all sure

And I also say that Zetterberg was sitting underneath the port hole 1--No.mp

And also that Zetterberg threw a bottle at Federsen -No.

And hit him 1-No.

And that having seen what had happened to Pedersen you immed lately got up, took a bottle in your hand and bit Zetterberg 1-No.

yards,

At Short Range?

revolver :---

rested.

The Foreman

(a) When a person draws a wea pon and resists arrest; (b) if a man "A "post-mortem examination was is suspected of having committed a mado

The cause of death was crime of violence or of having fire. fracture of the spinal cord. Wit-arms in his possession, who resists ness was of opinion that the man arrest and whose resistance cannot was turned half-right and the body be overcome by any other means; was presumably bent when struck and (c) if a man has committed a And having done that, Mr. Bern- by the bullet which had evidently robbery, or is suspected of having sen, you went outside and raised travelled in an upward direction at committed a robbery, who runs the alarm, putting the blame on a range of from one to twenty away and cannot otherwise be ar Pedersen --No, that's not true;

The Magistrate was shocked. reman of the Jury asked A. Chinese constable, who was one.

"But he can't crack a man's of the picket, said the scene of the Mr. Calthrop if all officers were con- occurrence was dark at the time versant with these regulations and skull because his uncle owes him and there were no street lights in was informed in reply that they money the exclaimed," /

The Magistrate endered... the immediate vicinity. One of the were, at

The Chinese constable was recall moment. two men swung his right, az as

Defendant is to pay $5 to complainant as compensation for a cracked head, he decided. That will include the $2 he borrowed from comprarhe will be bound over, for 6 moutha."

But complainant' uncle atin owes defendant $2.401

Mr. Marton (to his Worship): That is all I wish to put to this wit

that this witness understands theness. I am reserving my defence. meaning of the term "Sparring," His comprehension of any but simple English phrases seems to be limit

His Worship then explained the essing at

You must make your meanings quite clear," he added, addressing

Mr. Marton.

"Yes," interjected witness, "they were sparring.

Inspector And “ Bush.”

Detective Inspector Lane said that

he wished to cross-examine Bern- if to threw something into the har- ed. ma

ishin

the shot, as Guad ceased from Sergt. Williamson when

Witness: About 12 feet,

sch. It was in the witness's own hour and a bright light seemed Foreman: What distance was de

the TR WITH COroler paplaning

that several dificult points to leap up in the water. was at a distinct disadvantage be was due to phosphorus in the water.

At this stage of the proceedings, cause he "could not appreciate the Continuing, witness said that the significance or meaning of the ques, first of the two men escaped. The the Coroner adjourned the inquest tions put to him.

man with the white coat ran on to until February 1st."

8.30 p.m.-Dance Music relaye from the ball room of the Penin- sula Hotel...

10 p.m.-News bulletin. 10.10 p.m.-Dance Music from the Peninsula Hotel

10.30 p.m.-Close down...

WANTED IN CANTON. Two Chiness, who are wanted by Government df the Provincial Kwangtung for alleged murder on June 28th, 1928, appeared before Mr. Lindsc The Magistrate ex- plained to them that they had been arrested and were being held by the local polics in the expectation on the troopship Bomersetshire to that Canton would apply for their join their Battalion, the King's extradition,

Own Scottish Borderers in Hong

No application for extradition Kong, was again remanded for a

has yet been made and in ordering week by Mr. R. E. Lindsell The a remand in police custody until 10 pálico stated that no further news am on February let, Mr. Lindsell had been received from Cplomo, told the two men that if Canton where Bergeant Kerr is in hospital did not apply within a reaumable time they would be released.

·PRIVATE BOYLE AGAIN

REMANDED.

ANOTHER REMAND.

Fong Lau Tit, the amah charged with the murder of an old Chinese Reigata James Best charged lady at Swatow Lane on December with stabbing and wounding Bergh

Kerr while both were coming out further investigations, by Mr. R. E. (Continued at foot of next column) | Lindsoll.