The Sydney Morning Herald - Monday, May 27, 1895

LONDON, May 26.

The case against Oscar Wilde was concluded at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, yesterday.

Mr. Justice Wills summed up the case to the jury, his speech extending over three hours.

The jury then retired, and after a lapse of two hours brought in a verdict of guilty.

Wilde and his associate, Alfred Taylor, who had previously been found guilty on two separate counts, were sentenced together.

Mr. Justice Wills, in addressing the prisoners, regretted that he was only able to pass a sentence of two years, which in his opinion was totally inadequate for the crime of which they had been convicted.

The prisoners were then each sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

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.

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