The deponent, having descended the stairs of an apartment building, was accosted by the four defendants [Williams, Branch, Middleton, Thorne]. Williams told him to put his hands up, while Branch searched his pockets, stealing $5 in cash. The deponent then "dropped his hands from over his head and Middleton, holding a razor in his hand, did strike deponent about the right hand. Deponent then ran away ... and was followed up the stairway by Thorne who, holding a knife in his hand, did cut and strike the deponent twice about the left leg."