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The Australasian - Saturday, May 4, 1895
The trial of Oscar Wilde, upon charges arising out of the recent Queensberry libel action, is proceeding at the Old Bailey.
The charge of conspiracy against Wilde and the man Taylor has been withdrawn, but the charge of misdemeanour against Wilde is being proceeded with.
Oscar Wilde, who volunteered to give evidence on his own behalf, went into the witness-box and denied all the charges. He alleges that he is innocent and has been made the victim of a system of blackmail
Taylor also went into the witness-box, and swore that he was absolutely innocent of the charges brought against him.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q,C., addressed the Court on behalf of the accused in an eloquent speech, claiming the acquittal of his clients on the ground that the chief witnesses for the Crown were of bad character and altogether untrustworthy.
Mr. Justice Charles, in summing up on May 1, was on the whole favourable to the prisoners. He dwelt emphatically on the fact that several of the witnesses for the prosecution were undoubted blackmailers.
The jury, after being locked up for some time, came into court and announced that they were unable to agree on a verdict. They were accordingly discharged.
The accused were remanded in custody, an application for bail being refused by the judge. They are to be tried again.
The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser - Saturday, May 11, 1895
The trial of Oscar Wilde and Taylor, his associate, was continued at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, to-day.
At the close of the evidence for the prosecution counsel for the Crown withdrew the charges of conspiracy. The charge on which the accused are being tried is that of misdemeanour.
The case for the defence was then entered upon. Oscar Wilde went into the witness-box and emphatically denied all the charges against him, alleging that he was the victim of blackmail.
Taylor swore that he was absolutely innocent of the crimes imputed to him.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., made an eloquent speech for the defence. He reviewed the evidence, and claimed an acquittal on the ground that the chief witnesses for the Crown were tainted.
MAY 2.
Mr. Justice Charles summed up to-day. The summing up was in favour of the accused. The Judge emphasised the fact that several of the witnesses for the Crown were undoubted blackmailers.
After a lengthy retirement the jury returned into court, and the foreman announced that they were unable to agree, and that there was no probability of their doing so.
The jury were then discharged. The accused will be tried again.
Oscar Wilde was released on bail on entering into his own recognisance of £2500, and finding two sureties for £1250 each.