The Times - Saturday, April 20, 1895

POLICE

At BOW-STREET, yesterday, Sir John Bridge presided at the adjourned hearing of the charges of offences, under section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, against OSCAR WILDE and ALFRED TAYLOR. The Hon. R. CUFFE, C.B., Public Prosecutor, was again present on the bench. Mr. C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis and Mr. Frayling, of the Treasury, appeared to prosecute. Wilde was defended by Mr. Travers Humphreys; and Mr. Arthur Newton represented Taylor. Mr. Grain watched the case in the interest of Mr. Mayor, one at the witnesses. Without any preliminary remarks, Mr. Gill proceeded to call witnesses. The evidence included that of clerks from the Marylebone and Westminster brancbes of the London and Westminster Bank, who produced certified copies of the accounts of Taylor and Wilde at those banks; also the shorthand notes of the proceedings in the slander trial, "Wilde v. Queensberry," on the 3rd. and 4th inst. At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Gill handed to the magistrate a statement detailing at considerable length the offences for which he asked the committal of the prisoners. This was read aloud by Mr Alexander, the Chief Clerk, and Sir John asked, with the usual caution, whether the prisoners wished to say anything in answer to the charges. Wilde replied, "Not at present"; and Taylor also declined. Mr. Newton said he must with great respect urge Sir John Bridge to consider most carefully the incriminated character of the witnesses before he committed Taylor for trial. He also again asked that Taylor might be released on substantial bail. Mr. Humphreys then asked that Wilde might be liberated, as he was prepared to offer very substantial bail. Sir John Bridge said the responsibility rested upon him, and the considerations that weighed with him were the gravity of the offences and the strength of the evidence. He must absolutely refuse bail and send the prisoners to trial.