CRIME IN CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

CRIME IN CHINA.

Ma-ssu Murders Ma Jon k'uel and Is

Sentenced to be Sliced.

Ma-ssu and Ma Jen-k'uel were two brothers who lived in the Yun-ch'eng District. The elder, Ma Jen-k'uel, was a hot-tempered, good-for-nothing sort of fellow, who was continually borrowing money and articles from his younger brother, and either helped himself or made a row if he mot with any sign of refusal. Ono day he sent his son to Ma-ssu for the loan of some money, and being refused the youngster attempted to mako off with a cooking pan, but was stabbed by his uncle and obliged to go without it. The father vowed that he would have vengeance, if he should burn his younger brother's whole household. This made the latter determined to get rid of his elder brother as soon as an opportunity offered. Ma Jen-k'uol was

riding ono day on a donkey to a fair in the neighbourhood, and dismounting on the way sat down to have a smoke. The

younger brother, who had followed him, rushed up and dealt him several fatal thrusts with a knife. Ho then led away the donkey, sold it to somo unknown person, and returned home with the price wrappod up in the saddle-cloth. The authorities posted notices giving a description of the dress and appearanco of the deceased, and his married daughter having come across one of them came to the conclusion that the murdered man must be her father, and wont to see her uncle Mα on the subject. On being questioned Ma got flurried and gave contradictory answers, but his niece had not evidence enough to charge him with the crime, Being afraid that the saddlo-cloth would betray him he went to bury it in the family cemetery, and was detected by his niece, who happened at the , moment to bo sweeping the graves. The case was not considered to bo fully established at first, but after repeated trials the facts as given above have been clearly proved, and have been confirmed by the man's own con-, feesion. Ho has been sentenced to death by tho slicing process, in accordance with the law applicable to the caso of a person who murders a senior in years relating to him within the second degree of mourning.