HONOLULU CRIME

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 340, 29 September 1932, Page 6

HONOLULU CRIME

PINKERTON'S AGENCY SAYS SLAIN HAWAIIAN INNOCENT After having made a careful investigation of the Massie assault case, the Pinkerton Detective Agency has reported. "If any assault was committed on Mrs. Thalia Massie, the persons who committed it are not in Hawaii today." The agency, which made the investigation on behalf of the Hawaiian Government, says that Joseph Kahahawai, one of the five accused, who was murdered, qnd his four associates were innocent of the crime. Startling revelations are contained in the report besides the statements clearing men. The Governor (Mr. Judd) and the Attorney-General (Mr. Kelly) have ieft for Washington to put the whole case before the United States Government. Lynching Case Five Hawaiians, including Kahahdwai, were charged with the crim?nal assault of Mrs. Thalia Massie, wife of Lieut. Thomas Massie, a United States naval offieer. At the first hearing the jury disagreed. While they were awaiting re-trial Kahahawai was kidnapped, taken to a house, tortured to extort a eonfession and murdered. Lieut. Massie, his mothei*-in-law, Mrs. Fortescue, and two United States naval ratings were charged later with the murder of Kahwahawai. After a protracted trial, which created intense racial feeling in Honolulu, the accused were found guilty of manslaughter. They were sentenced t6 10 years' imprisonment, but the sentences were immediately commuted to imprisonment for one hour each. Later, Mrs. Massie eluded the police,. who desired her presence at the second trial of the accused men, and left Honolulu in the liner Malolo.