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Post by NZBC on Jun 13, 2010 19:08:34 GMT 12
sites.google.com/site/newzealandpolicemuseum/home/online-exhibitions/mug-shots/selectedbiographies/fongchongOn January 15th 1888 the body of a female infant was found on the beach at the head of Evans Bay. She was 10 or 11 days old, and enclosed in an old petticoat and a piece of linen shirt. Marks on the child's neck resembled marks that might have been made by a thumb and finger, indicting that she may have been the victim of a violent death. Detectives quickly ascertained that the girl was the baby of Hutt gang member Fong Chong and his wife, Clara Chong, who were both arrested for her murder. Although at first claiming that the child wasn't theirs, Clara Chong soon changed her story, claiming that the child was born dead. Despite testimony from neighbours who claimed to hear an infant crying in the house, both Fong Chong and Clara Chong acquitted of murder in a court of law. Instead each were sentenced to two years hard labour for a lesser charge of concealing the birth. According to court news reports of the time, however, some debated whether or not there was even enough evidence to even convict Fong Chong of this lesser charge. Nonetheless, the charge of concealment of a birth against Chong was indeed held up.
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Post by NZBC on Jun 13, 2010 19:11:15 GMT 12
The Evans Bay Infanticide Case. ANOTHER ARREST ON SUSPICION
The ingenuity of two of the oity detectives was severely taxed yesterday afternoon in making the arrest of Fong Chong, the Celestial, who is the acknowledged husband of the woman Clara Fong Chong, the snspeoted mother of tbo infant who was found dead oa the beach in Evans Bay some days ago. Detectives Campbell and Walker having been entrusted with the execution of the warrant for Chong's arrest, repaired yesterday afternoon to the Hutt district, where he was understood to be employed. Their preliminary information was to the effect that the object of their search was to be found at Sun Kwong Lee's market garden, where they accordingly made their first enquiries. The proprietor, who talks good English, seems to have been prepared for his visitors, or at any rate to have known that their euquines bodod no good to his compatriot, so he directed them to the plantations of anotfeor gardener, Ewong Ti, who lived some mile and a half distant. Thither the detectives accordingly betook themselves, not only to find that they had beep sent on a wild goose chase, for on arrival they were rather dismayed at learning that Fong Chong was really a member of Sun Ewong Lee's gang. Returning to Lee's bouse, they renewed their enquiries from that worthy, detailing to him the information which they had just gathered, but only received the evasive answer that though Fong Chong had certainly been employed there, he had gone more than a week ago. The necessity for a little diplomacy then became evident. The detectives accordingly secured the assistance of a female relativo of Mrs. Fong Chong, who seems to have been quite willing to help them in carrying out their purpose. This lady was sent to the Chinaman s hut on the pretence of purchasing vegetabl es, andalso to convey to Fong Cbong a message invented by the officers to the effect that his wife was seriously ill. Meanwhile the crafty pair concealed themselves behind a friendly hedge to await further developments. As soon as tho message had been delivered, the sympathetic Chinamen called out Fong Chong from the party with which he was working and delivered the news to him. By this means the man's identify was easily established, and no time was lost in taking him into custody and bringing him into town. On seeing that the game was up the prisoner yielded at discretion, while Sun Kwong Lee retreated precipitately into his quarters, and took care not to reappear until the offioers to whom he had caused so much inconvenience had taken their departure. Fong Chong was brought before Mr. Wardell in the Magistrate's Court this morning, and charged with the murder of tl • child on or about the 9th instant. Inspector Browne said that the woman already in custody acknowledged the prisoner to be her husband, and he also admitted her to be his wife. She had stated that she had not seen her husband for a fortnight, but it would be shown that he had been in her company within that time, and that on Wednesday last he paid the rent for her house, and further, that he was seen at her residence abont the time when the child was heard crying. Under these circumstances he would ask for a remand until Wednesday next, to allow time for getting up the evidence. An interpreter having been sworn, explained the application to the prisoner, who offered no objection, and the remand until Wednesday wan accordingly granted. Another Chinaman who was present in Court asked that bail should be allowed, but his Worship declined the request owing to the seriousness of the offence. The application for bail was renewed at a later hour by Mr. Skerrett, who had in the meantime been instructed to defend the prisoners. His Worship, however, decided not to deal with the application until Wednesday next. Inspector Browne and Deteotive Walker to-day searched the house at Newtown in which the female prisoner lately resided, and seized a quantity of blood-stained linen and other clothing. The garments will be handed over to a medical man for examination. Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 21, 27 January 1888, Page 2
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Post by NZBC on Jun 13, 2010 19:12:06 GMT 12
In the Appeal Court argument has concluded in, the case Regina v. Fong Chong and Clara Chong. At the last criminal sessions , the prisoners, were charged with child murder. ' They were acquitted of the more serious offence, and sentenced to two years' hard labor for concealment of birth. Certain points were reserved, one being misdirection of the Chief Justice to the jury, and,' second, wheiher, by reason of the omission of the interpretation of the evidence, the male prisoner ought to have been convicted. The Court affirmed the conviction, and the sentence is to be carried out.
Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1951, 9 June 1888, Page 2
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Post by NZBC on Jun 13, 2010 19:14:51 GMT 12
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