The attempted murder' committed on December 12 in Avenue Edward 'VIt_ when a Chinese merchant Li Hung-shing was shot three times by (a man who was arrested, on the spot was an act of personal Fevenge resulting from Jealousy In business rivalry, 'This was revealed in the First Special District Court yesterday when three men, includ~ ing the would-be assassin' himself were brought up for trial, The attacker admitted that he had shot Li but the two other accused denied knowledge of the murder plot, The hearing! was postponed to December The would-be assassin told the court that he was given the pistol by a man named Chao who is. large. He was told that the man "he was to shoot was a bail man, He steadfastly denied that he Imew any of the other two accused. One of the two other accused who was alleged to be the instigator said that he was a good friend of the victim of more than 10 years! standing, and that since he was unemployed he often obtained financial assistance from the victim. He would never ask a man to shoot such a friend.
The third accused said that he worked under the victim and that it, would be "unnecessary" to shoot his superior, The would-be assassin was alleged by the prosecution, however, to have stated at the police station that he was asked to commit the crime by the other two accused. The victim was said to be an employee of a match factory. He was also alleged to have told the police that his instigators were business rivals of the victim in trying to get the control of some wharves in Pootung.
The victim himself could not appear in court yesterday since he was still lying in hospital suffering from bullet wounds in the neck and side. Some other accomplices are believed to be still at large, Gang Charged with Extortion Shanghai, Dee. 20.
On suspicion that they extorted money from victims by posing as police detectives, a Russian named Boris Konaiff and three Chinese were brought before the First Special District Court yesterday on a writ of detention. Two other Chinese were arrested last week in connection with the same case and they will all be heard next wee!
Tt was alleged by the prosecution that the detained men recently col-ceted $120 from a sing song girl in Wal Lo Alley, Foochow Road, as hush money by posing as police detectives searching for opium. It so happened, it was alleged, some opium was actually found in the [possession of the girl and therefore fat the suggestion given allegedly by the Russian accused the money was paid. The Russian at first demanded $5,000, it was revealed by the prosecution.
The police have requested the court to postpone the hearing believing that they might be involved in other similar cases, It being alleged that the same men might have recently victimized resident at 32 Yen Ching Alley, Amoy Road and a Mr. Tro in Chungking Road from whom they obtained $800 by playing the same trick.
While all the detained Chinese are loafers, the Russian is said to be salesman of a studio in Bubblins, [Well Road where he was arrested.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.