1903/18 Rex vs. D.L. Ray and Wing Wo – murder (Trail)
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, the BC Archives has digitized a selection of documents related to criminal prosecutions against the Chinese community from 1866 to 1914, found in GR-0419. These are mainly records created as part of the preliminary hearing held before a judge in order to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. There are often lengthy witness statements, and cross examinations by both prosecution and defense lawyers. The eventual verdict is sometimes recorded on the outside of the docket. They offer a fascinating glimpse into 19th and early 20th century criminal activity around the province, and ways in which the Chinese community was stereotyped. The records offered for transcription here are a small selection; for additional digitized material from GR-0419 click here.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. In addition, GR-0419 records deal with subjects such as assault, murder and abuse, which may upset some readers. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.
*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person.
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(19)
Q. (Interrupting) Was'nt there some mobility in the neck ?
X. Mr. Gillan objected as leading. Witness:- That's not printed in my report. It's not in evidence.
A. You can take it this way (indicating) and get complete mobility. You can move it around from right to left, and left to right. Moreover, you can insert the finger through above the hyoid bone and make it go as far as you finger to the right.
Q. Could a fracture of the left hyoid bone be caused by falling out of bed ?
A. It would be very marvellous if it did.
Q. The chin would protect it ?
A. It would be awful hard to conceive of a man falling down and breaking the thyroid cartilage-that is, the left horn, off-- or the right, or any horn.
Q. What was the position in which you found the trychea, the whole Adam's Apple ?
A. It was in the position-sticking out about here (indicating) caused by pressure underneath. There was a transverse depression from below the thyroid in the neighborhood or adjacent to it.
Q. In your opinion, Doctor, could the deceased have inflicted this upon himself ?
A. No; he could not; that was impossible.
Q. That's all.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 19 File 1903/18
BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Attorney General documents.