Mr. Minshull.—Is it your wish, Mr. Thomas, that the other two prisoners should be removed from the bar before you make your charge?
Mr. Thomas.—I am willing to make my charge in the presence of all four; but I have no wish that May and Shields should remain.
Mr. Minshull then directed Dodd, the jailer, to remove May and Shields, and leave Bishop and Williams at the bar.
Mr. Thomas was then sworn, and stated, that he felt it his duty, as a public officer, to charge John Bishop and James Williams, alias Head, with the murder of another boy, whose name, for the present, was unknown. He was in possession of some evidence at present, and expected much more.
Mr. Burnaby, the clerk, asked Mr. Thomas, if he meant to produce any evidence now before the magistrates, in support of the charge against the prisoners at the bar?
Mr. Thomas replied in the negative, and said, he meant to charge the prisoners generally for the present, reserving the evidence which he had now in his possession, and that which he expected to receive, for a future opportunity.
Mr. Minshull observed, that Mr. Thomas acted very properly, and directed the charge to be taken in general terms, as he wished it. The charge having been written down accordingly,
Mr. Minshull asked the prisoners if they wished to say anything touching this charge.
Bishop answered, 'Nothing.'
Mr. Minshull then informed the prisoners that they would be brought forward for re-examination on this and the other charge, on the following Friday.