The Sun. — 1861-08-21 (London, England)

CLERKENWELL.—TIIE LATE ATTEMPTED MURDER.—Charles William Jeffs, aged 30, residing at No. 40, Acton-street, Gray's-inn-road, was brought up before Mr. D'Eyncourt on the charge of carting and wounding Francis Cossum, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The case, which was partially heard on Tuesday last, seemed to excite the utmost interest, and during the proceedings the court and its approaches were crowded by a vast concourse of persons anxious to hear the proceedings. Mr. Sleigh attended on behalf ofthe accused, who, on being placed in the dock, was found to be still suffering from injuries he had received to his right arm.  The prosecutor, on being called, said, in answer to Mr. Sleigh, that the prisoner lodged in his mother's house, at which place he (witness) became acquainted with him, but that was some few years ago. Mr. Sleigh—How long ago ? Prosecutor—About two or three years. Mr. Sleigh—Have you been intimate with the prisoner's wife before this unhappy occurrence ? Prosecutor—l have been intimate with her, and such intimacy continued until this occurrence. Mr. Sleigh—Have you ever visited the prisoner's wife ?  Prosecutor—l have been in the habit of meeting her for a long time. Mr. Sleigh—Have you taken her to any place of entertainment ? Prosecutor—l have not taken her to any place of amusement, but I have carried on this illicit intercourse for some time. _ _  vv Mr. Sleigh—Was that while the husband was at home ? Prosecutor—No; during the husband's absence I visited his wife.  Mr. Sleigh—You do not deny that you committed adultery with the prisoner's wife ? Prosecutor—l have committed adultery with her while her husband has been out at work.  Mr. Sleigh—Was the prisoner at home when you went to the house on the day of this occurrence ? Prosecutor—He was not at home at the time, but came in while I was there. I left the prisoner's wife in the sitting-room, and she passed from one room to the other. Mr. Sleigh-1)o you know what the prisoner is ? Prosecutor—l believe he is connected with the press. Mr. Sleigh—Did you go to his house with the expectation of seeing him ? Prosecutor—No; I went there at the time 1 knew he would be away from home. Mr. Sleigh—How have you known when he has been out ?  Prosecutor—Sometimes she has let me know such was the case by signal from the window. Mr. Sleigh—What occurred when the prisoner came in ? Prosecutor—He came in, and I went away, and proceeded to the corner of Exmouth-street, when he came up to me and inflicted the injuries upon me. Mr. Sleigh—What did he say to you? Prosecutor—He said, " Go down on your knees, and confess you have seduced my wife." Mr. Sleigh—Did you strike him with any weapon? Prosecutor—l did not; and I did not snatch the knife from his possession. I mean to say I never seized the knife, or struck him. Neither was I aware that he was a left-handed man ; and I did not make a eat at him, or seize the knife. Mr. Sleigh—When were you with the prisoner's wife before this occurrence ? Prosecutor—l was with her on the Wednesday before, in the Gray's Inn-road. The prisoner was at the time out at work.  Mr. Sleigh—Did you visit any house. Prosecutor—We did not go into any house except a public-house. _ _  Mr. Sleigh—What description of house is it ? Prosecutor—lt is an ordinary public-house. Mr. Sleigh—You come hero to have the prisoner punished. liViiat is your determination now? Prosecutor—l wish to withdraw from the prosecution.  Mr. D'Eyncourt—now long was it after you left the house that the assault took place ? Prosecutor—lt was about 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour after I had left the place. l‘lr. Sleigh—There are several gentlemen here who have known. the prisoner for some time, and . and who are to be responsible for his appearance if required on any future occasion. After some further remarks from the learned  1861.  counsel, the prisoner was admitted to bail to appear this day for the completion of the depositions.  WE