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The Australian Star - Monday, May 27, 1895
The Marquis of Queensberry and Lord Douglas, of Hawick witnessed the end of the Wilde trial.
Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser - Saturday, June 22, 1895
The London Scandal.THE CONVICTION OF WILDE.THE SENTENCES.
London, May 24.—While giving evidence to-day, Oscar Wide, who appeared very weak, was allowed to be seated in the witness box. He said he always understood Taylor to be a respectable man. Referring to the station in life of the people with whom he had associated, he said the reason for his friendship with them was that he personally liked praise, and lionising was delightful.
Sir Edward Clarke, in addressing the jury for the defence, said the witnesses were blackmailers, whose evidence it was impossible to believe.
London, May 25.—The trial of Oscar Wilde concluded to-day.
Mr. Justice Wills at great length summed up the case to the jury, placing the facts with great care before them. His speech occupied three hours.
Wilde and Alfred Taylor (his associate, who was found guilty on two charges on Tuesday) were then brought up for sentence.
In passing sentence, Mr. Justice Wills was deeply affected. He spoke with great emotion, and evidently experienced some difficulty in restraining his feelings. He said that the verdict was correct beyond the shadow of a doubt. It was useless to address the prisoners at any lenght, as they were dead to all sense of shame. It was the worst case he had ever tried, and he must pass the severest sentence the law permitted. He regretted that this was totally inadequate for their offence. He then sentenced Wilde and Taylor each to two years' imprisonment, with hard labor.
Taylor left dock with a firm step, but Wilde had a haggard look and appeared to be dazed. He gazed in a despairing manner at the judge, and was apparently horor-stricken at the sentence. In a weak voice he muttered a request to be permitted to address the judge, but this was unheeded, and he was immediately removed by the warders from the dock.
After sentence had been passed upon Wilde and Taylor, the jury asked whether it was intended to arrest Lord Alfred Douglas.
Mr. Justice Wills replied that he was not aware of what was intended to be done, but pointed out that Lord Alfred Douglas was not affected by the present trial.
The jury said that if the letters addressed by Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas showed Wilde to be guilty the guilt applied equally to Lord Alfred Douglas.
Mr. Justice Wills concurred in this remark, and added that any suspicion that might exist that Lord Alfred Douglas would be allowed to escape owing to his high family connections, was not only unfounded, but impossible.
The Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Douglas of Hawick, witnessed the end of the trial.