The Pall Mall Gazette - Thursday, April 11, 1895

THE CHARGE AGAINST WILDE.
TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS AT BOW STREET.

The hearing of the charge preferred against Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was resumed at Bow-street police-court to-day before Sir J. Bridge. As on the previous occasion, a large number of persons gathered outside the court, but owing to the limited dimensions of the court only comparatively few of these were able to obtain admission. Mr. C. F. Gill, who was again accompanied by Mr. A. Lewis, prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., and Mr. T. Humphreys appeared for Wilde; and Mr. A. Newton for Taylor. Sir John Bridge entered the court a few minutes after eleven o'clock, and directly afterwards the two prisoners were placed in the dock. Sir E. Clarke stated that he appeared with Mr. T. Humphreys in defence of Wilde. He had read the depositions, and after considering the matter, had decided not to cross-examine the witnesses who had been called at that stage, as probably no cross-examination would affect the case so far as that court was concerned. He should probably take the same course with regard to other witnesses who might be called. Mr. Newton, for Taylor, wished to ask a few questions of some witnesses who had been called, as the two cases

STOOD UPON A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT FOOTING.

Charles Parker was then recalled and cross-examined by Mr. Newton When was it you first made a statement which was taken down in writing? -- About a month ago, to Mr. C. Russell. Mr. Gill: I shall call Mr. Russell to prove under what circumstances and how it was he came to know of this witness. He was, however, desirous that the place where the statement was made should not be disclosed. Mr. Newton: I don't propose to ask it. Cross-examination continued: He knew Atkins, but could not say whether he was a notorious blackmailer. Is he a person who extorts money by making accusations against gentlemen? I don't know anything about that. Mr. Gill said he did not know the object of asking these questions, but if it was done with the object of trying to prevent persons being called as witnesses it would not succeed. Mr. Newton: Surely I am entitled in testing the evidence of a person to show that he is the associate of the most notorious and degraded characters in London. Sir John Bridge (to Mr. Newton): You may go on. Did you get £30 from a man by threatening to accuse him in conjunction with other persons? -- No; I had it given to me by the other person. You know they gave you the £30 which they had extorted from a gentleman? -- Yes; I think so. By threatening to accuse him of a crime? -- I don't know whether that was the way they got it. It was hush money to prevent your saying anything? -- They didn't tell me it was to keep my mouth shut. Did they tell you where the money came from? -- Yes?