120
THE YAUMATI SHOOTING TRAGEDY.
INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF A CHINESE.
JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE.
At the Magistracy on the 12th inst. Mr. J. H. Kemp, sitting as Coroner, conducted as inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of Laing Wang Sing, who was shot by P. C. Hedge in the shooting affray at Yaumati on Chinese New Year's Eve. The jury consisted of Messrs. F. Smith, W. J. Crawford and D. Rumjahn.
His Worship said the reason for holding the inquiry was that some men were at first charged with the murder of Lance-Sgt. Mills, who was shot on the same occasion and, if that case had been proceeded with, the evidence with regard to the shooting of deceased would have come out. The charge having been withdrawn, it was now necessary to hold an inquiry. The principal point would be the conduct of the constable whether he was justified in shooting the deceased when he did.
Dr. Bell stated that the deceased was admitted to the Government Civil Hospital on the morn- ing of January 22nd. He was suffering from a bullet wound in the belly; an operation was performed and the bullet removed. He died at 9.25 a.m. the same day.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
man
followed. The
pointed his revolver at witness and fired again. That was in the kitchen, witness being in the door way. The officer drew his revolver and fired low, thinking it would frighten the man. Instead the latter pointed his revolver at the officer. He there upon shot the deceased who called out and wit- ness, putting his revolver away, made to arrest the man. The latter struggled fiercely and witness had to make use of his truncheon before he could arrest him. Deceased dropped his re- volver which was picked up by one of the detec- tives and handed him. On examination he found five empty cartridges. He took deceased to the Police Station. Later he identified the body of deceased at the hospital.
Did you see the last witness ?—Yes. Could you remember where he was ?--No. How many shots did you fire altogether?--- Four.
By a juryman-Where were you when he first pointed the revolver at you ?--In the street, opposite the Pumping Station.
This concluded the evidence.
His Worship said he would ask the jury to find that the cause of death was due to a bullet wound in the belly and also to inquire into the conduct of P. C. Hedge. The law on the subject was that if an officer were resisted in the execution of his duty he might repel force by force, and, if in so doing, he killed, the party, then it amounted to justifiable homicide. The law went further in favour of the officer. If the party flees or endeavours to escape and if he could not be arrested in any other way, the killing is justifiable. In this case there was ample evidence. The man had already shot Sergt. Mills and shot at two other men as well
desperate character.
The shopkeeper, whose place was ransacked by the robbers, said the men came into his shop about 10 o'clock on the night of January 21st. They were armed with revolvers. They tied up witness and three fokis, pointed revolvers at them and demanded the keys. Witness as P. C. Hedge and seems to have been a and the fokis said they had no keys but the men searched the premises until they found the keys with which they opened the safe and took away all the money, amounting to $4,300. When they left, witness, who was tied by the queue, cut his hair and went after them calling out "Robbers." They ran in the direc- tion of the Police Station and as he followed one of the men pointed a revolver at him but it missed fire.
The jury found that the deceased had died from the result of the bullet wound and that his death amounted to justifiable homicide.
His Worship afterwards called up P. C. Hedge and the Chinese detective Cheung han and commended them for the manner in which they had done their duty.
ARMED ROBBERIES.
THE SHOOTING AFFRAY AT YAUMATI.
The seven natives arrested in connection with the armed robbery at Yaumati on January 21st. which resulted in the death of Lance Sergeant Mills, were arraigned on charges_of_murder and armed robbery before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on Feb. 5th.
Acting Assistant Superintendent King prose cated, and Mr. E. J. Grist (of Messrs. Wil- kinson and Grist) appeared for the seventh defendant:
A lukong who was in the company of two Chinese constables on the occasion stated that. on hearing a police whistle they ran in the direction of the sound. Witness saw a detective try to stop the deceased by catching him by the neck, but the deceased, using a revolver, shot the detective in the left hand. Witness joined in the chase. As they passed the Police Station, Lance-Sergt. Mills came out and tried to clutch the deceased round the neck. The deceased, Laing Wong Sing, turned and shot the officer who, placing his hand over his heart, walked back to the station. Witness then shot at Mr King informed his Worship that he Laing Wong Sing who called out "Are you wished to withdraw the charges of murder still coming and afterwards ran into a lantern against the seven defendants. He also wished shop in Wing Sing Street. P. C. Hedge entered, to withdraw the charges of armed robbery followed by witness, and they found deceased in against the third and fourth defendants, the kitchen. The robber fired, whereupon P. C. the only evidence against them being that Hedge discharged his revovler three times. On they were arrested in the house under going into the kitchen they saw Laing Wong suspicious circumstances. With regard to the Bing leaning against the wall and found his seventh man, he would also withdra the revolver under the fire place. With the second charge against him, as he had elected assistance of another policeman they secured to give King's evidence. deceased and took him to the Police Station. He did not struggle but he was unwilling to go. They searched him to see if he had any more firearms.
By the Court-P.C. Hedge fired into the kitchen three times. Where was this man P- Inside the shop, inside the door of the kitchen. Where was P. C. Hedge ?-He was a short distance from the kitchen. There was one wall between them.
Could P. C. Hedgesee him ?-No. Did he go round the wall PP.C. Hedge fired round the corner.
His Worship withdrew the charges as desired.
[February 15, 1909.
Further evidence was heard, and the case adjourned.
ANOTHER CITY OUTRAGE,
Notwithstanding the vigilance of the police, and the numerous arrests which have lately been effected, the armed robber is still with us
"
Shortly before the tiffin hour on Feb. 5th another daring "hold up was attempted in the heart of the city, but thanks to the activity of the police, was frustrated, and one of the miscreants Was arrested. At the time mentioned three natives, armed with Japa nese swords, presented themselves at the dwelling of a countryman residing at 16, Cochrane Street. As the door was opened to them they pushed into the house, secured the only occupant, the tenant, bound and gag-. ged him, and proceeded to ransack the dwelling. Before they could collect the spoil, however, a policeman appeared on the scene, and succeeded in arresting one of the robbers. The other two escaped, but an early arrest is expected.
THE RECLAMATION STREET AFFAIR. Two more Chinese were placed before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy on the 10th inst., charged with committing armed robbery with others not in custody at No. 9, Reclama- tion Street, on January 2nd.
Assistant Superintendent King prosecuted, and the prisoners were not defended.
Mr. King informed his Worship that on the day mentioned the two defendants called at the house of complainant, told his wife they were anxious to rent a flor, and wished to know what her husband would charge for one of the houses in the block. Complainant's wife told them 89, and just then she was pushed into her house and tied with two other woman who were there. The first two callers were followed by four others, all of whom were armed with knives. After securing the women they proceeded to ransack the house, and although this took place in broad daylight in one of the busiest streets at Yaumati the men got clear away. About a week later, the two defendants were arrested. They admitted that they went to the house to rob, but denied being armed. Three witnesses for the prosecution, however, would swear that they were armed.
Evidence was called and the hearing adjourned.
THE ROBBERY AT CHEUNGSHAWAN. The hearing of the case in which five natives were charged with armed robbery at Cheung. shawan concluded before Mr. J. H. Kemp, and on the evidence his Worship committed the defendants for trial at the Criminal Sessions.
NAVAL OFFICER'S GALLANT ACT,
A gallant and successful attempt to save a stoker's life was made by Commander Norris of the Flag Staff last week while H.M.S. Alacrity was steaming down the West River. The chief stoker of the warship fell overboard while attempting to board the launch and was The Com- mander, seeing the dangerous predicament struggling near the propeller.
of
the stoker, immediately pulled off his coat and went overboard to his assistance. He succeeded in keeping him afloat until a boat was lowered, and into this willing hands soon pulled rescuer and rescued.
A TRIAD SOCIETY MEMBER.
Li Chan, the master of an iron foundry in Kennedy Street, told the court that between ten and eleven on the night of January 21st five persons entered his shop, all of whom were armed with revolvers, which they pointed at the inmates. Then they tied them up and put them to one side. One of the intruders asked witness Before Mr. J. R. Wood at the Magistracy for the keys of the safe. Searching the master's on Feb. 10th Inspector Dymond charged a native person, he found and took the keys, opened with stealing a bundle of clothing, and with the safe and removed the money. Witness being a member of the Triad Society. From and his two fokis were tied together the evidence tendered it appeared that Where were you?--I was inside the shop by their queues, and they saw the robbers the defendant anatched a bundle of clothing with P. C. Hedge. I was outside the door of take
· the money away. As soon as from another Chinese in a temple at Yaumati. the kitchen.
they got out of the shop they ran. Witness A quarrel followed, and when the police Where were the other constables?—At the severed his queue and gave chase, shouting appeared on the scene the defendant took to his door.
"thief as he ran. After he turned a corner heels. He was chased as far as Samshuipo, P. C. Hedge was then called. About 11.15 somebody blew a whistle, and the first defendant where he rushed into a house. The police p.m. on the night in question while on patrol was arrested. In the shop, when the robbers entered after him, and a search of the premises opposite the Pumping Station he saw a large covered him with their revolvers, they told him resulted in the finding of a Triad Society book crowd coming towards him, several blowing to keep his mouth shut otherwise they would on which the defendant's name was inscribed." whistles. He saw they were chasing one man shoot him. He identified the first defendant, His Worship dismissed the charge of larceny, and on his attempting to stop him the latter but could not identify any of the others. Wit but sentenced the defendant to three months' pointed his revolver at him and fired,ness had $4,800 odd in his 'safe at the time, imprisonment for being a member of the Triad afterwards running into a shop. Witness and all this was taken.
Society.
24
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.