1908/7 Rex vs. Ung Wing – shooting with intent to murder
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
around the first wound the skin was burnt. Powder marked. And I took him to the hospital, and he told me, of course, that he was shot, and I put a prob through the one hole and into the other. And it was in a line with the third hole.
101- Q. What would have made such a wound as you described? A. It looked like a bullet wound.
102- Q. And did you subsequently find the bullet? A. Yes, in the neck. Through the left side of the neck.
103- Q. Practically in the shoulder? A. No, just over the collar bone.
104- Q. Now, does that look like the bullet? A. Yes, very much like the bullet.
105- Q. Who did you give that bullet to? A. Yes sir.
106- Q. Did you get it out personally? A. Yes sir.
107/ Q. And who did you give it to? A. Chief Chamberlain.
108- Q. And it never left your hands until the Chief got it? A. No sir.
109- Q. And did you notice the wound in the leg at all? A. No.
BULLET PUT IN AS EXHIBIT "A".
110- Q. You said that the wound looked like as if it had been burnt, --- such a burn as powder would have made? A. Very much like it.
111- Q. And that would be which side of the face? A. On the right
112- Court:- Very close call for the young man? Was it not? A. Yes, indeed.
113- Q. You have just related to the Court that it was a close call-- If that bullet had gone a little further in ----- I mean a little back in the neck --- it might have cut some fatal organs in the neck --- are the fatal organs close to the path which the bullet took, which the bullet travelled? A. Not far away. If the bullet, instead of going to the right, had it gone down, you could nottell what damage, it might have
13.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 124 File 1908/7 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.