The final stage ini the trial of Det. Inspector Gabbutt and. Det. Ralchin was reached on. Wednesday, there remaining only the addresses of counsel and Sir Skinner Turner's summing up. The'court was again crowded, and. the presence of a con. siderable number of police officers fu plain clothes was very noticeable, though possibly not due to certain rumours in circulation regarding the close of the trial.
When proceedings were resumed, the foreman inquired if it would be in order to submit certain questions, and these having been scrutinized by His Lordship, Inspector Mackenzie was recalled, and questioned from the Bench:
You remember Loh Tse-wha saw Mr. Ting on the afternoon of February 6?—Yes.
After Mr. Ting had left the station, do you know what became of Loh?—He was put back into the cell.
Until the following morning, when How long did he remain there
he was sent to the Mixed Court.
Was any special observation kept on him during that night?—There was a Chinese constable on duty outside the cell. No more than that.
No more than that?—No more than. that.
Was a report made on his condition during the night?—No.
Did you see him in the morning, before he left for the court?7—No.
MEN (OF GOOD REPUTE, Mr. Reader Harris, addressing; the jury on behalf of the accused, emphasized that both of them had excellent characters. They had served their country, and one of them had served the Municipal Council with extreme distinction, distinction which brought him rewards and commendation in respect of dealing with armed robbers, work which required exceptional courage. They were therefore men of courage and reputation, but, according to the case for the prosecution, they were really cowards and bullies and had been guilty of most inhuman cruelty. This was certainly alleged against Gabbutt, and the case rested on the evidence of a coolie. Counsel did not suggest that a coolie could not be a worthy person or that his evidence could not be credited, but the jury must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused actually carried out the nefarious practices which had been described. Both accused had given their account of the matter, and had given it most excellently; they appeared to he truthful, had spoken without hesitation, and in cross-examination had not been shaken in a single detail. Loh had told his story. If he were really tortured in the way
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.