The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-04-24
2HINDUSSHOT
AT PLOT TRIAL
Ram Chandra Killed in San
Francisco COurt-Assailant
Slain BY Marshal.
CASE GOES TO THE JURY
Diversion of Property by Rev.
OlutiOnist Is Said to Have
Prompted Deed.

SAN Francisco, April 23.-A sena-
tional climax to the prolonged trial Of
thirty-two persons charged with con-
spring to foment revolution In India
was furnished to-day when Ram Chan
dra. Hindu publicist and revolutlonist.
was ahot to death in Federal District
Court by Pam Singh, former employee
and fellow defendant. While Singh still
pressed the trigger Of his automatic
pistol he too was shot and killed by
United States Marshal James b. Holo-
han. who fred across the room over
the heads Of attorneys.
The trial started November 20 and
the case went to the jury tonight.
Belief that Ram Chandra had diverted
to his own use proceeds from property
which Ram Singh had turned over for
use in the proposed revolution y said
the shooting.
Defendants In Tsrnoil.
The trial since the opsning has
seethed with excitement and animosity
among the defendants to such an ex-
tent that all were ssare'Ied for weapons
| daily when entering court The United
| States District Attorney, John ". Pres
tom had finished his closing argument.
which Mrs. Preston was present to hear.
Just before the shooting Judge Will
lam c. Van Fleet. announcing that he
would charge the jury in the afternoon
had left the bench and entered the cham
bers. and spectators and lawyers rose
to leave the room. At one side of the
bar sat the defendants, clustered to-
gether, and at the opposite side. by the
fury box, Marshal Holohan watched pro
ceedings.
Ram Chandra rose and started acros!
the room. Ram Singh aleo rose. raisee
his pistol and began firing. Ram Chan
dra staggered forward and fell dead be
fore the witness chair with a bullet Il
his heart and two others in his body
At the same moment Pam Singh fell
Holohan, a man OF great stature. hat
shot once with his arm high over hi
head so that the bullet should clea
nearby counsel.
Soldiers. who mad been on duty II
court since the trial opened. immedt
ately blocked the exits Judge Val
Fleet ordered all defendants taken int
custody and the court room cleared
Then he began an investigation. ~hicl
developed that Pam Singh had obtained
his weapon during a brief recess in tn
morning session.
/ Investigations Tonight ran a!onl
many lines. including the possibility tha
other defendants knt In advance tina
the shooting was to occur.
At Singhs frst shot the court room
was thrown into confusion. Spectators
defendants. counsel and others In tn
room darted for cover. overturn,n
chairs and tables In their Night. Orde
was soon restored.
Chandra was - years old and wa
born in Peshawur. In the Punjab. II
was educated in British Indian school
and did some newspaper work In Indi
until 1907, when he was arrested 70
sedition. After six months In jail h
was liberated for lack Of evidence. bu
subsequently was arrested and release
four Times. Many compatriots at tn
same time were either hanged or i'm
prisoned for life.
Chandra Edited Paper.
From India Chandra went to Japa
and thence to Seattle. WASH. where h
remained a year. He arrived here 1
1914 and started his paper Ghadr !
1917 he was reported to have been de
posed as editor. but he kept OH pub
fishing q paper called the Hindusto
Ghadr.
During the five months Of testimon
the Government sought TO prove tha
/ the conspiracy was world wide in II
scope. Because OF the fact that the jur
ers must vote upon the case OF the thirt
, defendants II was thought that a verdit
would not he reached tonight.
B In his closing argument District A,
torney Preston attacked the defence {
r j. Clyde Hizar. Bernard Naming an
r Walter Sauerbeck. defendants. an
, asked for a verdict Of guilty again.
. those on trial.
Judge Van Fleet counselled the juror
, that In their deliberations they shoul
, take no cognlsance OF the double KILN
= to-day. His instructions consumed III