The inquest over the remains of the late P. C. Thomas, Robert Francis, who was shot and_killed by un armed kidnapper on November 26, was resumed on Tuesday in H, M, Coroner's Court before Mr. 1." Morris. Chief Inspr. Aiers conducted the police evidence.
The most interesting evidence was the story of P. C, Read, taken at} his bedside in General" Hospital, who accompanied P. C. Francis into the deserted house where he, himself, was seriously shot.
The convalescent, constable said that he had just finished his tiffin, after giving evidence at the Public Mortuary during the inquest over the bodies of two armed robbers, who he had shot on the day previous. His boy came to his room and told him that an armed robber' had been shot and was lying in the compound. Just as he went down-its, he saw the police posse leaving.
Whilst standing there news of the search of the Kuling Road—Peiho Road area reached the station, and he returned to his room, put fon his tunic, and, as all 45" Colt} automatics had been taken, he took his brother's personal '38 Colt pistol and three clips, and hurried the vicinity.
Traced by Blood Stains On approaching the scene he met tha late constable, and after consultation, they decided to search for. blood stains. Together with a party of Chinese constables, they entered! the devastated area behind Kuling Road, and here found stains. He, Being of the opinion that the wounded man, who Francis had shot: arlicr in the day, might be under the flooring, the party pulled up some of the Joards in the row of deserted and "tumble-down" houses, facing on Kuling Road. Witness then sent constable for tools.
About this time, he went on to say, P. C. Allen called out that he had found fresh blood stains, and the party followed the trail to the Vast house at the end of the alleyway. Whilst testing the strength of the scantlings placed over the door, the tools arrived and they tore one batten off.
'A Chinese constable entered first, witness added, he following, pistol in hand, fully loaded and cocked. Witness' pushed past the Chinese and entered the darkened room,_ making for cover between the motor lorry and the west wall of the room, He looked under the lorry and in front of it' for secreted persons.
"Shots rang out, and I rushed forward to get into position," wit. ness continued, "and whilst opposite, the driver's seat, T was shot in the stomach. I saw the flash of a pistol to my right."
Witness then described how he heard a volley of shots. P. C. Read then called out that he was shot and stated ition. Witness break in the shutters. When Chief Inspr. Aiers arrived, they broke in and removed P. C. Read.
Chief Inspr. Aiers, who conducted the operations, said that he met} 'P. C. Francis about an hoor eacher, the "latter reposting that he had. shot an armed robber and that. he was trailing him- along Burkill Road. 'They "organized a search party and for the better part of an hour searched the' vacant houses, finding nothing. He returned to the station and at 120 p.m, received word that P, ©. Francis had been shot, He was not informed about C, Read's predicament. Witness returned to the spot and found the dead body of Francis on the lorry, and as he spoke to him, not being aware that he was dead, he heard P.C, Read call out. He then Sramshed open the shutters and sent Read to hospital.
The Verdict Several Chinese constables and] Chinese detectives gave corroborative evidence, and Detn-Sgt. Grubb told of his later investigations.
Dr. A. D. Wall, in giving evidence, said that he examined deceased at the General Hospital on Saturday afternoon and performed an autopsy Jat the Public Mortuary. The bullet had entered between the fifth and sixth ribs on the left side and extracted it from under the right shoulder blade, Mr. I. T. Morris examined the fatal missile. In the of witness, death was! practically instantaneous.
The Court returned. the following verdict:—I. find That Thomas Robert Francis died at Shanghai on the 26th day of November, 1927, as a result of a wound inflicted on him by a person sine dead.
T might add that it is most re-Jerettabio that the life of a valuable and esteemed police officer should have been taken by one whose only' object in life was probably loot and under. 'The deceased died bravely' in the execution of his duty and T wish to tender my deepest sympathy with the relatives and the police force generally in the sad loss they Mhave sustained.
T avo take this opportunity of congratulating the other _police oticers—particularly. Constable Rend, whose part in this affair is already known. Although seriovusly wounded, himself, he was able, with determined tenacity and patience, to get into an advantageous position, which enabled him to shoot the robber who had taken. refuge in a most difficult corner of a dis-used house—it was a remark-_ able display of skill as well as of courage, pitched forward, falling in the corner in a doubled up position.
saw a man on the driver's seat," P. C. Read added, "he fired fat me once more and I emptied my weapon as quickly as possible. Then I heard the robber's pistol strike the lorry as it fell. I fell back into the corner, fect toward the lorry. My pistol, not attachd with a lanyard, fell away from me."
Hit, but "I've Got Him"
'The wounded officer then tried to communicate with those outside, not knowing that P. C. Francis had been killed, and called out, "George, I'm hit, he's here, but I've got him." He did' not believe that anyone had heard what he said, although it Seemed as though, someone said "Right" several times. Then all was quiet, Witness added that he remained still for some minutes, as he thought. that perhaps other robbers. mi be in the house, and he was w armed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.