Ref.: HAD 210/63 VI
Report on Condemned
ANNEX C
Staff of CDO (Kwun Tong) have sounded out local residents and community leaders in the neighbourhood of
Kwun Tong, where the prisoner and victim once lived. Their views on the murder case and the death sentence imposed have been sought and are summarized below
2.
(a) The neighbours comprising a watch-repairing workman, a
boarding-house proprietor and some tenants of the building
Despite the passage of time since the incident took place, the memories of the case are still vivid in their minds. The prisoner is described as a dangerous person who always has conflicts with his co-tenants and is prepared to put up a fight. They show little sympathy towards the prisoner, as they invariably hold the view that the offence of arson which the prisoner had committed is a very serious one and should not be forgiven whatever the motives. Seen in this light, they consider that the death sentence is fully justified.
(b) The local community leaders, comprising some AC and MAC members
They are all in support of the death sentence and suggest that it should be carried out to prevent the law and order situation from deteriorating. They earnestly believe that the death penalty will have a real deterrent effect on violent crimes.
On the whole, some degree of concern about the case still prevail, particularly in the immediate vicinity of where the murder took place. It appears that the lack of sympathy for the prisoner is largely due to the fact that the prisoner had taken an innocent life by setting fire inside a building and, in the process, endangered the lives of other residents. Many respondents hold the additional view that if the fire were not extinguished in time, more deaths would have been caused.
City and N.T. Administration
16 August 1982
DC/WCCY/1w
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