The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-09-13
RESTS UPON
BOY OF TEN
The Prosecution in
Toma Murder
Case.
JAPANESE AND
THEIR GODS
The Child is Sharply Questioned.
Nakamurd on Trial Before
a Jury.

Upon the evidence of Hideo, a re-
bright ten-year old Japanese
boy depends the conviction or acquittal
of Nakamura, the japanese charged
with the murder of Toma For four
hours yesterday, four attorneys. the
court, and the jury questioned the boy
upon his understanding of the nature
of an oath, and he answered the
weighty theological questions put to
him better probably than could some
problems.
Nakamura is the Japanese who is al
legged TO have murdered the wife of
Matsuohi, friend, August l. 1t seems
that the son of the defendant and a
child of Toma, the dead woman. were
quarreling, that the latters child,
Hideo, had the best of the argument
that Nakamura came over to Toma' S
house, and demanded that she punish
Hideo. This she had refused to do and
a quarrel between the elders followed,
with fatal results. Toma was found
dead and there was some evidence of
her death having been caused by a
blow with some blunt instrument The
coroner's jury considered the case but
failed to connect any one with the sup
posed murder, and the matter was then
brought to the attention of the grand
Jury with the result that a true bill
was found against Nakamura, the de-
PENDANT in the case now on trial.
Hideo was the only eye witness TO
the scene which occurred between his
mother, and her salleged murderer If
he is not allowed to testify, there is lit
tie hope of a conviction, but the prose
cution is almost certain that with the
story of the child before the jury. the
latter must return a verdict of guilty.
The admission of the boys evidence is
the wheel upon which the entire case
revolves. as there is no other witness
as to what actually occurred
f. NJ. Brooks is assisting Deputy AT
torney General Douthitt in the prose
\
cution, and Messrs. Davis and Wilder
are defending. The jury which is hear
ing the case, is composed of the fol-
lowing gentlement:
Joe Fabian. w. A. Baldwin, d. x
Hoapili. p. c. Jones, Frank Harvey, T.
| S. Holt, W. Blaisdell, B. F. Vickers. II
T. Bertlemann, F. c. Bertlemann, r. w
Davis. Joseph Andrade.
Matsuohi was the first witness 70,
the prosecution. He testified that Ma
kamura was in the room with his wife
and that he heard loud talking from
within, then the sound of two shar1
blows. When he went to investigate
he found Toma lying upon the floor
while Nakamura was about three fee
away, apparently very angry.
| DIR. Mcdonald was next called ant
testified to an examination he hat
said she had been in perfect health
as far as he could ascertain by a post
norton, and that her death was caused
| by wound on the head, seemingly
made by some blunt instrument. n,
! testified that the blows must have beef
inflicted recently. though on cr-oss-ex
animation. admitted there was a pos
sibility of doubt
1 The next witness was Hfdeo, the ten
year old boy previously referred to
The questions were ali put TO hin
| through the Japanese interpreter, ant
| the boy answered them intelligently
| and like a veteran. Both attorneys an,
| the court attempted to confuse him
but to no purpose. He stuck to but on
story concerning his qualifications as
witness. The chief contention made b.
defendants attorneys was that the DO,
/ did not understand the nature of a.
oath, and though it was plain that h
didn't have the same understanding a
did the attorneys, he did have yer,
vivid recollection as to what the pun
Eishment would be if he did not tell tn
truth The court reserved his decision
until this morning as to the admission
lof the boys testimony, but plainly in
dicated that he would decide agains
the Attorney Generals department. an
refuse to allow the witness to testify
How old are you?" was the first ques
ton put to Hideo.
..Ten years DID, the child answered
DO you know what you are here for?
ITO give talk in court
| DO YOU know what viii happen t
YOU IL you do not tell the truth?"
Eyes; l will be punished by God
who is God questioned the Courf
II Christ is God"
rs He the God of these Islands?'
yes"
where are you going when you die?
Il think I'll be going in dirt, in tn
learth.
.aThe same place where horses an
dogs go?''
Eyes, think So"
who told you God would punish 20
if YOU did not tell the truth2"
Nobody told me; l knew it myself.
DO you know what you are here for?
Il am here to tell about the death c
my mother
Did you talk with your father abot
Iit2' . =,
ibeing struck, and died.
do you know who viii punish you
Iyou do not tell the truth?"
Yes; God WILL
What will He do?'