The Morning Post - Thursday, May 2, 1895

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Charles, the trial was resumed of Oscar Wilde, aged 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, aged 33, of no occupation, on an indictment charging them with certain misdemeanours.

Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avory prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys represented Oscar Wilde; Mr. J. P. Grain defended Taylor.

The speeches for the defence and the reply for the Crown were concluded the previous day.

Mr. Justice Charles, in summing up, commented on the importance of the case to the accused and on the gravity of the charges. No unfavourable impression ought to be drawn from a work like "Dorian Gray," as, in his opinion, a writer ought not to be confounded with the persons he created; nor ought the result of the Queensberry case to weigh with them in the least. The case was an important one to the community. The testimony that had been adduced by some of the witnesses was obviously tainted evidence, and it required strong corroboration. It was a question for the Jury to decide if there existed independent and untainted corroboration. His Lordship dismissed from consideration the literary aspects of the case, being of opinion that Wilde was not responsible for the writings of others. If they were satisfied that the evidence supported the charges, they ought fearlessly to say so by their verdict. Wilde was a man of high intellectual gifts and education; Taylor belonged to a good class of persons, and they might think it unreasonable to suppose that they would have acted in the manner suggested. The Jury, however, could not disregard the evidence, and it was only upon the evidence that their verdict ought to be determined.

The Jury retired to consider their verdict, and, after an absence of three hours and three quarters, they returned into Court, when the foreman said that they were unable to agree to a verdict.

Sir E. Clarke asked that an acquittal be entered on the conspiracy counts, which the prosecution withdrew.

The Jury returned a formal verdict of not guilty in respect of these counts and two other counts.

Sir E. Clarke applied for bail for Wilde. He did not think that the Crown would oppose the application after what had occurred.

Mr. Clarke Hall applied for bail for Taylor.

Mr. Gill did not desire to say anything about the matter of bail.

His Lordship—I do not feel able to accede to the application.

Mr. Gill said that the case would certainly be tried again.

The Jury were discharged, and the case was ordered to stand over until the next Sessions.

The prisoners were removed in custody.

Bristol Mercury - Saturday, May 25, 1895

At the Central Criminal Court, London, yesterday, before Mr Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde, 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, 33, of no occupation, were indicted a second time for certain misdemeanours.

Sir Edward Clarke, Q. C. applied that the cases of the two defendants might be taken separately.

The Solicitor General said the results of the defendants being so tried would be that matter would have to be introduced which might be unfair to the other defendant not on his trial.

The Judge said that, having carefully considered the matter, his notion was that the case ought to be taken seperately.

Sir Edward Clarke applied next that the case of Wilde be taken first.

The Judge said that he could not interfere with the discretion of the Solicitor General in this matter.

The Solicitor General elected to proceed with the case of Taylor first.

Sir Edward Clarke desired to make a further application, having in view the course which the Crown had taken—viz, that the trial of Mr Wilde be taken at the next session.

The Judge said that the application had better be made at the conclusion of the case of Taylor.

The Solicitor General opened the case and evidence was taken.

Mr Grain addressed the Court on behalf of Taylor and had not concluded his speech when the Court adjourned.

Before leaving, his Lordship asked the Jury to keep an open mind on the case, and not to form any conclusion until they had heard everything that had to be said on the case.

On Tuesday afternoon, Alfred Taylor was found guilty of committing acts of gross indecency with Charles and William Parker. Sentence was postponed. The Marquis of Queensberry was in attendance during the day and remained in court until the finish of the case.

On Wednesday morning, Oscar Wilde, 40, author, surrendered to take his trial a second time on an indictment charging him with certain misdemeanours. The Solicitor-General said the charges alleged against the prisoner extended over a period from February 1892, down to about March, 1893. He thought the jury, after they had heard the evidence, would be of opinion that the statements of the witnesses were fully corroborated, so far as they possibly could be. Oscar Wilde gave money to Wood in March, 1893, and Wood went to America. Edward Shelley detailed the circumstances under which he made the acquaintance of Oscar Wilde and as to his relationship with the prisoner, his evidence being a repitition of that given at the last trial. Wood and Charles Parker having given evidence, the case was adjourned.

On Thursday Wm, Parker, brother of Char. Parker, was first called, and was followed by witnesses from the Savoy hotel, some of the evidence not having been given before. The prisoner's evidence in the Queensberry's trial was then read by counsel. At five minutes past three the Solicitor-General intimated that the case for the prosecution had closed.

Sir Edward Clarke, for the defence, first submitted that on the counts charging the prisoner with indecenies with persons unknown at the Savoy hotel on the 9th and 20th March, 1893, there was no evidence to go to the jury, on the ground that the evidence of the chambermaids was uncorroborated.

Mr Justice Wills thought his duty led him to submit these counts to the jury.

Sir Edward Clarke submitted in regard to Shelley that there was no corroboration.

His Lordship said Shelley must be treated as an accomplice, and at present he could see no corroboration. This charge would therefore be withdrawn.

Sir E. Clarke said in the case of Wood he should again submit that there was no corroboration of the charge.

The Solicitor-General protested against the charges being withdrawn other than by the jury under the direction of the Judge. In the case of Wood he submitted that there was sample corroboration.

His Lordship said he should leave this case to the jury, but he should point out to them in what direction it went.

The case was again adjourned.

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