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Sydney Evening News - Friday, April 5, 1895
London, April 4. -- The trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for libelling Oscar Wilde was continued at the Old Bailey to-day.
Evidence was given that the Marquis wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas that if the worst were true he would be justified in shooting Wilde. He (the Marquis) believed Lord Alfred was crazy, and suggested he should leave the country.
Prosecutor, re-called, admitted close intimacy with young men who had been introduced to him by Taylor. He had entertained them at dinner at fashionable cafÈs. Several had spent the night as his guests at his hotels, but nothing improper occurred. He was regardless of the social inferiority of his guests if they were amusing.
Letters written by Lord Alfred Douglas were read, in which the latter threatened to shoot his father if he thrashed him.
Some letters of the Marquis of Queensberry read referred to eminent statesmen, but the references to them were only political.
The case for the prosecution having closed,
Mr. E. H. Carson, Q.C., M.P., in opening the defence, declared that Wilde's proteges were among the most immoral men in London. He commented strongly on the fact that the prosecutor had not called Taylor as a witness. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claim as an exponent of culture, and his literature alone justified the action of the Marquis. In conclusion, Mr. Carson said among other witnesses he would call Wood, the chief black-mailer, and would prove his case up to the hilt.
Fielding Star - Saturday, April 6, 1895
London, April 4.
Wilde admitted the close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas' letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent statesman, but the reference was political.
Wilde's case is closed.
Mr Carson, in opening the defence, declared the plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature along justified charges against him. IN conclusion he claimed that defendant's witnesses, among whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer would prove the case to the hilt.
April 5.
The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry was finished to-day, a verdict of not guilty being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by Queensberry were of public benefit. Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case and Wilde himself left the court while his counsel was explaining that plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid repelling the evidence which would be adduced. The verdict was received with loud cheers. It is expected that Wilde will be arrested, but no warrant has yet been applied for, but counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry has sent the public prosecutor a statement of the witnesses and notes on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.