The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1907-02-01
ONE GAMBLING
GANG BROKEN UP

Samuel Apoliona. otherwise known
as Napoleon, convicted or Monday OF
conducting a dice-throwing game, was
sentenced by Judge Robinson yestcr-
day to Imprisonment six months and
payment OF $3.50 costs.
Attorney Rawlins had asked for a
fine alone and no imprisonment but
the court took a different view of the
ofrense. Judge Robinson said he re-
garded the game of craps as espe-
cially pernicious in that 1t was facile
introduction of boys to gambling prac-
tees and criminal career.
Napoleon's sentence following the
warning hanging over the heads or his
confederates of tho old Kaumakapil
"hole in the ground gang, in the sus-
pension of their sentence for three
months on their plea of guilty the day
before, may fairly be expected to check
the career of as worthless an aggrega-
ton of loafers as Honolulu contains.
Perhaps the conviction of the gang may
begin making an honest living.
A. p. Taylor, when an Advertiser re-
porter, over three months before his
appointment as chief detective, discov-
cred the game that has now proved the
undoihg of this particular gang.
CHAwFORD'S CASE.
Whether or not William Crawford
will be tried for gambling under his
present indictment is to be decided by
the Supreme Court. With the jury Oh
eleven men, agreed on as sufficient, in
the box waiting for the evidence to
begin. Judge Robinson yesterday after
noon suspended the trial and reserved
for the Supreme Court the question of
whether, in the case of a continuing
offense charged, the element of precise
time is material.
This action was taken at the request
of Deputy Attorney General M. f.
Prosser, staving Off the courts ruling
on George ID. Gears motion for di-
rected verdict of acquittal. 1t was
almost furiously resisted by Mr.. Gear.
whose eloquence was at length inter-
rupted by Judge Robinson to save time.
Mr.. Gear denounced Mr.. Prosser for
having made the request of the judge
at recess and, as he alleged, for having
also seen the Chief Justice in private
about the matter. He approvingly
quoted Judge De Bolts roast of the
Generals department for do
ing things by itself without regard to
opposed to 1t in cases. When
ne spoke about the Attorney General
AZ going tn n nudge and advising him
10 do certain things so as to secure
mis- prestige with Governor Carter,
Judge Robinson told him he knew he
was talking nonsense IL he referred
10 any such influence being exerted
over himself. Mr.. Gear contended
hat the Supreme Court had decided
he question in another case.
Judge Robinson, ending the incident.
informed the defendants attorney
hat the question was not free of doubt |
n his mind. that the statute authorized |
lim to suspend trial to refer a ques-
lion to the Supreme Court and that, |
he Territory having no appeal and 1t
being important to have the point de- |
'ided promptly. 1t was only fair to the
prosecution to grant its motion. He
ordered accordingly. Mr.. Gear noting
| separate exception to every distinct
'ortion of the order, including even the
xcusing of the jury till 10 a. m. Mon
lay.
Crawford would have gained nothing
nut time had his acquittal been direct
d by the court, as nothing had hap
ened which would prevent a new in
ictment being brought against him.