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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The charge of conspiracy against Wilde and the man Taylor has been withdrawn, but the charge of misdemeanour against Wilde is being proceeded with.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.
New Zealand Mail - Friday, May 3, 1895
London, April 30.
The charges of conspiracy against Oscar Wilde and Taylor have been withdrawn, leaving only those of misdemeanour.
Wilde is now in the witness box. He denies everything, and represents himself as the victim of blackmail.
Taylor swore that he was absolutely innocent of the charge brought against him.
Sir Edward Clarke, counsel for the accused, made an eloquent address to the jury, in which he claimed an acquittal on the ground that the chief witness for the prosecution was a man of questionable reputation.
The Judge sums up to-morrow.