[Detained Person (KS) is shown a detention record from Muriseay Category 4 Prison, which he denies is his. Serjeant A reads it to him, but Detained Person (KS) claims it must be someone else with a similar name.]
When I went to the island called Chill Wind [Goorn is part of the Hetta Group], which is a long way from Red Jungle but it is on the route which my main ferry job takes me, I did not intend to kill anyone. I was short of money and one of my friends gave me some. I spent the money on food and the clothes I was wearing when I was arrested. I deny that I stole those clothes. The money that was found on me is mine. That is not the money my friend gave me, but some other money.
I agree that I tried a few of the pills my friends had with them, but they were medicines for headaches. I have many problems with headaches and blackouts. My friends often help me by giving me something for the pain. We also had several alcoholic drinks, and I drank a few of them myself. We were having a good time and a lot of laughs and I was not angry with anyone. I did not have another blackout that day or at any time that the offence was committed. I can clearly remember what happened and I promise I am telling the truth.
Until I was arrested I had never heard of the man called Akal Drester Commissah. I have never met Akal Drester Commissah. He has never done anything to me. I have never had any dealings with him. I was not angry with him about anything. I did not owe him any money. I had not seen him before that night. I now know more about him. I have been told that he was a performer of some kind. I think he was an actor, but no one would tell me. He used the name ‘Commis’ when he was on stage.
I agree I was in the theatre at the time of his death. I deny that I went in without paying. One of my friends must have paid for me because I think he worked in the theatre. I agree that I went backstage.
I don’t know how I found the sheet of glass. One of my friends must have given it to me. Three of my friends helped me carry it. It was me who told them where to carry it to. It was my idea all along. I am completely responsible for what happened.
I was angry with Mr Commissah but I can no longer remember why. He might have picked on me, but I don’t know why. No, I could not carry the sheet of glass on my own. It was large, too large for me on my own. Yes, I am strong, but not that strong. It’s not true that I carried it on my own, but I did tell the others who were helping me where to take it. We made a lot of noise but no one heard us because people in the audience were laughing and there was music playing. It was an orchestra, not a record.
No, I cannot remember what tune they were playing. Yes, I can now remember the tune they were playing. It was called The Sea Flows By. I know the tune because it is a favourite of mine. I recognize it from the recording you played me, but I could not remember the title until you reminded me.
It was me who told the others to drop the glass on Mr Commissah. Yes, they heard me over the noise of the music. My actual words were, ‘Let’s kill the bastard now.’ I am certain those were my exact words. Yes, I am certain. I might have called him something else, more offensive. I can’t remember exactly what I said. I agree I might have used the word ‘asshole’ instead. Yes, I am certain of that. Yes, I use both words to describe people I don’t like. I often use words I’m not supposed to.
We were in the place above the stage where there are a lot of ropes and other stuff. I can’t remember how we got up there. I think we climbed. I went first and my friends followed me. I can’t remember how we carried the sheet of glass up. I think it was up there already. I don’t know why it was up there. Yes, it might have been in the yard at the back of the theatre and we carried it up there. I think we climbed up ropes. If you say there was a ladder, then I remember we climbed that. I followed my friends up the ladder.
All I know for certain is that when I reached the top they were already there with the sheet of glass. Yes, I was wearing gloves, which is why my fingerprints do not appear on the glass. Yes, I always wear gloves when I am out with my friends. I don’t know why. No, I don’t have those gloves with me any more.
I can’t remember why I wanted to kill Mr Commissah. I don’t think I intended to. We were having a laugh. It was a sort of joke. The people in the audience were laughing. We held the glass until Mr Commissah was beneath us. Then I said the words I just told you, and we let go of the sheet of glass.
I can’t remember how I escaped from the theatre. No one saw me as far as I know. I remember running away down the road. No one chased me. I can’t remember where I ran to. I probably ran back to my ship, where I worked. I didn’t see my friends again, and I can’t remember their names. I think they were from Chill Wind. I think some of them were from Red Jungle, but I’m not sure any more. Yes, they were also from Slow Tide. They were all the same age as me, or older. They looked like islanders, not visitors.
No, I don’t speak the patois of Chill Wind. No, I have never been to Chill Wind. I have never been to the town of Omhuuv. Yes, the ferry I worked on did occasionally call at Omhuuv. Yes, I do recognize the words Teater Sjøkaptein, but I don’t know what they mean. Yes, they mean ‘The Seacaptain Theatre’. That is the theatre I went to, where I murdered Mr Commis. I am definitely telling you the truth.
I was excited by what I had done, but I did not speak to anyone else about it. I saw something about it on television, and by then everyone knew all about it. I carried on with my life and had forgotten all about it until I was arrested. I am very sorry for what I have done. I didn’t mean it.
This statement was dictated by the Detained Person (KS) in the presence of two officers of the Cheoner Policier Seignioral, and transcribed by Serjeant A, the arresting officer. It was read to the Detained Person, Kerith Sington, and all necessary corrections and amendments were made to his instructions. He has initialled every page of this transcript, and has placed his mark below.
X
his mark, Kerith Sington . . . . . .
From Cheoner Chronicle, 34/13/77:
The execution of Kerith Sington, the murderer of the mime artiste Commis, was carried out by guillotine this morning at 6:00 am in Cheoner Category 1 Prison. His execution was witnessed by a jury of twelve volunteers, and the death was confirmed and certified at 6:02 am by the prison doctor. All procedures of mitigation and appeal had been scrupulously followed and applied. Sington made a full confession to the crime and during the trial witnesses came forward to corroborate what he admitted. A last-minute appeal to the Seignior for mercy was turned down.
Gooden Herre, the prison governor, said to reporters outside the prison gate: ‘With the execution of this evil young man, the entire Dream Archipelago has been rid of fear. The execution was carried out properly, expertly and in humane circumstances, and is intended as a deterrent to others.’
Sington was born on Cheoner, and educated at Cheoner Technical School. His parents separated while he was still a child. He began his life of crime while still a teenager and committed many different offences, some of dishonesty but mostly of petty violence, usually in concert with others. He spent many periods in detention, but after he found a job with Muriseay Marine his offending appears to have declined.
Sington’s murder of the distinguished mime artiste, Commis, was carried out while Mr Commis was performing on stage in the
Sjøkaptein Theatre