The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-06-09

The Lee Let case viii 40 to the jury
this morning. the defense having con
Guided its case yesterday afternoon,
putting the defendant on the stand to
testify in his own behalf. His evidence,
which is all that the defense had TO
offer in answer to the case of the prose
cution. was 70 the effect that he had
I loaned the Chief Detective the $50
which TAYLOR stated that he received
as earnest money for large bride, had
/ loaned him the money as 3 personal
favor after having only met him twice
before. and when Taylor offered no Sc
curity for the return of the sum. In
spite Of the short acquaintance he re-
fused TO take any receipt for the $50.
exeusinC his unhusinesslike methods by
stating to the court that no receipts
were necessary between good friends
I So far from wanting to bribe anyone.
Lee Let stated that Taylor importuned
him 10 start s gambling hui, with him
(Tsvlorl as a silent partner. He men,
toned that Tavler had modestlv asked
him to nav him sl400 \ week as his
share of the hui gains. but that he had
Indignantly spurned the proposal TO
have anything 10 do with Taylor and
his schemes for easy money. He did
lend him the fifty, however, without
security or receipt.
DIRECTED VERDICT DENIED.
Frank Thompson whipped the froth
Of the case in a lengthy argument.
lasting all morning. on q motion for
an instructed verdict of acQuittsl He
picked out certain portions Of Taylors
testimony as basis for his argument.
stating that Taylor's position as an
executive officer had not been shown;
that he had himself solicited q bride
and commenced the criminal proceed
ing. thus clearing Lee Let: that II any
bride had been given. II was. accord
ing to Taylor's evidence, not TO in
fuence his official actions. but 10 in
fiuence him into interceding with
others. and that there was nothing TO
show in the evidence that Taylor had
agreed not 10 arrest Lee Let and Lee
Tong, nor had either OF them asked
for any promise of non-arrest.
Thompson quoted a score of deci-
sions and precedents as fast as C,en-
ons handed him the authorities. max
ing out q good plea on the specious
grounds chosen Judge Robinson, how
ever. cut through the froth by an
nouncing. as soon as Thompson had
concluded. that he would rule against
the motion without bothering with any
argument against it
EVIDENCE FOR DEFENSE.
After the noon recess, the evidence
for the defense was presented, Thomp-
son announcing that he would depart
from the usual custom and reserve his
main witness for the last TO allow the
business men subpocnaed to leave as
early as possible. The witnesses were.
10 show the reputation Of the de-
PENDANT
George Il. Robertson OF Brewer &
Co. testified that he had had dealings
with the Yuen Chong Company for, If
teen years, although not personally
with Lee Let. He had never heard
Lee Let's honesty or integrity ques-
toned
r. r. Reidford, manager of the
Bishop Trust Co, had frequent bust
ness dealings with Lee Let He stated
that Lee Let's reputation for honesty
and integrity was good On cross-ex-
animation he stated that the question
of his honesty was discussed by the
officers OF the trust company.
Nanny Phillips also testified as to
Lee Let's good character
LEE LET'S STORY.
Lee Let followed the ones who had
given him such a good name, his APP
pearance being followed by an ex-
change of remarks between the Dep
uty Attorney General and Thompson
on the relative truthfulness of the
coming and the past witnesses
The defendant testified that he was
manager OF the Yuen Chong Company
for fifteen years The business of the
drm amounted TO about $4,000 year.
He met A P Taylor. he said, on
February 5. Taylor came in of his
own accord with Ayres and Lee Tong.
He did not know what for. They help
I'd themselves TO some liquor, when
Ayres and Lee Tong went out Then
Taylor said TO him: You had better
start up some gambling games. You
had better help NE out and get up q
gambling hui I was surprised and re-
used the proposition Taylor went
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Xii Ngi. & Amina. Mrs. K AmTna