6.
2
Nos. 1 and 2 were not identified as having been
in the lane and it appears that they were not known to the hawkers there. The evidence against them was that they were in a group of men who ran from the direction of the lane where the attack took place. They, and a third man who was carrying a bloodstained knife, boarded a taxi and asked to be taken to Wong Tai Sin. The taxi driver, who realised that- there had been trouble, warned them that there was a Police
road block ahead. They then told him to turn left, which he _did
into a cul-de-sac. The three men left the taxi, where-
upon the driver summoned a police officer who happened to be
nearby. Nos. 1 and 2 were subsequently arrested, following a chase in the case of No. 2. The man carrying the knife escaped. It appears that Nos. 1 and 2 were not known to the other accused. They may have been triad fighters hired for
the occasion.
7.
Q
MEDICAL EVIDENCE.
The deceased sustained a stab wound to the head,
resulting in a deep injury to the brain.
8.
DEFENCES.
No. 1's defence was that he had been attacked and
was running away when a policeman called on him to stop. He denied being in the taxi, and said he was arrested at some distance from the place alleged by Crown witnesses.
9.
10.
No. 2's defence was an alibi.
No. 3's defence was also an alibi.
PRINFIPAL FACTORS.
11. (a) There is no doubt that these men were rightly
12.
convicted of murder.
(b) The attack in the lane was a thoroughly premeditated
ê
one.
(c) The attackers were armed and considerable violence
was used.
RECOMMENDATION.
If the Governor decides to commute the death
sentences passed on these men, I recommend that a sentence of imprisonment for 25 years be substituted in each case.
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