New Books Network Christopher Munn, "Penalties of Empire: Capital Trials in Colonial Hong Kong" (Hong Kong UP, 2025)
Mar 17, 2026
Christopher Munn, historian and former Hong Kong government officer, discusses capital trials across 150 years of colonial rule. He recounts dramatic cases like piracy and poisoning. He examines language barriers, racial categories, courtroom speech, debates over mercy, and how capital punishment shaped legal and political tensions in Hong Kong.
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White Man's Burden As Procedural Obligation
- The phrase "penalties of empire" meant procedural burdens the British felt obliged to uphold when applying English justice in Hong Kong.
- Chief Justice argued interpreters and cultural accommodations were necessary if the colony would impose capital punishment.
1857 Bread Poisoning Trial Ended In Acquittal
- An 1857 poisoning attempt on Europeans led to the baker and his men being tried and surprisingly acquitted.
- The prosecution was weak and evidence poor, and the accused were likely targets themselves rather than perpetrators.
Start Research At The Back Of Files
- When researching colonial archives, start from the back of government files because newest material is filed last.
- Christopher Munn used his administrative experience to read filing practices and legislative drafting patterns efficiently.
