DEAD BODY IN A TRUNK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2542, 13 February 1923, Page 4

DEAD BODY IN A TRUNK.

GRIM CHINESE MURDER

DEATH SENTENCE ON LEE

DOON.

Lee Doon, twenty-seven, the Chinaman who is charged with the wilful murder on or about September 9, of his employer, Sing Lee, a Chinese laundryman in the Crookes district of Sheffield, appeared in the dock at Leeds Assizes a few weeks ago before Mr Justice Greer. The body of Sing Lee was found buried in a trunk beneath the cellar door of his laundry on September 16. There were three women on the jury. Wearing a smart fawn-coloured - ports coat, Lee Doon presented an altogether westernised appearance, lie faced the Judge impassively, and with the help of an interpreter pleaded not guilty. Mr Waugh, presenting the case for the prosecution, stated that deceased was last seen alive on September 9 by Lily Siddall, another employee, and he then asked her to come to business on the following day.- Later she asked Lee Doon where “the boss” was, and he said he had gone to China and the business was iiow his. . “I WAS AFRAID.” Two men were employed by Lee Doon to dig a hole in the floor of the cellar of the laundry, and there were other circumstances which led Miss Siddall to communicate with ■the police. In the cellar was found buried a trank in which was the body of Sing Lee. In a statement made to the police prisoner said: —“I saw him taking morphine and told him not to do it. We had a fight and I struck him. I found that I had killed him. I was afraid and put him in a box. Deceased was one of my relatives.” | Counsel stated that Sing Lee was not in the habit of taking morphine, and there were no traces of drugs on the premises. The body was trussed up with a rope. In addition there was a rope with a running noose around deceased’s neck. Medical opinion was that Sing Lee was killed in bed. It was probable that the noose was flung round his neck and he was dragged along. Death was actually caused by blows inflicted with such a weapon as a hammer. About £3O belonging to deceased was believed to have been taken by prisoner.

PRIDE OF ANCESTRY. After further evidence, accused entered the witness box and gave his [ of what happened. He explained’ that when he had supper with Sing ~Lee they drank half a bottle of brandy neat between them. Sing Lee owed -him three weeks’ wages, and witness complained that deceased was smoking opium. Eventually there was a tight, and Sing Lee struck the first blow. Sing Lee’s back was towards the fire stove, and lie fell with witness on top. Sing Lee’s head struck the stove and knocked the fiat irons on the floor.

Prisoner gripped Sing Lee's hair and banged bis head. Sing Lee had alleged that witness had no ancestors and that greatly annoyed him.

Wjitness proceeded: “I saw he was bleeding, and took towels and wrapped his head up. I laid him on the bed, and put pillows under him. He moved his mouth as if lie wanted a drink, but when I gave him a drink I found he was dead. I got

frightened, saw a trunk there, and put him in it. I knew I would be held responsible for his death, so I thought I would bury him. I used two ropes to tie him up, and put one round his neck. Sing Lee hit me three or four times, and I forced his head on the flat iron five or six times.”

Counsel for the defence pleaded that Lee Doon was guilty of manslaughter, and not of murder. To tell a Chinaman that lie possessed no ancestry was a very great insult, and that provoked a struggle which led to Sing Lee’s death. The jury were absent an hour considering their verdict, and Lee Doon was found guilty and sentenced to death. He gazed stolidly at Mr Justice Greer as he pronounced the sentence, and remained unmoved when it was explained to him by the interpreter.