The Morning Post - Friday, May 24, 1895

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Wills, the trial was resumed of Oscar Wilde, 40, author, on an indictment charging him with certain misdemeanours.

The Solicitor-General (Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C.), Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke and Mr. Charles Mathews defended.

In continuation of the case for the Crown, William Parker gave evidence relative to his association with Wilde. Several witnesses were called, employed at the Savoy Hotel, to speak to alleged incidents which occurred with persons unknown in March, 1893: and a considerable portion of the rest of the time of the Court was engaged in the reading of the transcript of the shorthand note taken of the evidence of Wilde at the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry for alleged libel. The evidence of the arrest of Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel after the trial of the Marquis of Queensberry was given by Detective-inspector Richards and Detective-sergeant Brockwell, of Scotland- yard, and the case for the prosecution closed.

Sir Edward Clarke submitted that there was no evidence to go to the Jury on the count relative to the alleged incidents at the Savoy Hotel.

His Lordship admitted that the question was very near the line, and said that, should occasion arise, he would feel justified in reserving the point for the consideration of the Court of Appeal. He felt, however, that it was a matter the responsibility of determining which ought to rest with the Jury.

Sir Edward Clarke submitted next that there was no evidence as required by law to corroborate Shelley, and that, therefore, the count affecting him ought to be withdrawn from the Jury, it being the long-established practice of the Courts in criminal cases to decline to invite juries to act on the uncorroborated evidence of an accomplice.

His Lordship expressed an opinion that the necessary corroboration required within the meaning of the wording of the rules laid down by the Judges, and in accordance with the general practice of Criminal Courts respecting accomplices, was not present in regard to Shelley, the count in respect of whom he should withdraw from the consideration of the Jury.

Sir Edward Clarke moved next to get the count affecting Wood withdrawn on similar grounds.

The Solicitor-General protested against any decision being given other than by the Jury on these issues, the matters being, in his opinion, purely questions for them to determine.

After some discussion, his Lordship ruled that the case of Wood should go to the Jury.

At this stage the trial was adjourned until to-day, when the defence will be opened. Wilde was released on bail.

The Times - Friday, May 24, 1895

(Before MR. JUSTICE WILLS.)The trial of OSCAR WILDE, 40 , author, upon a charge of unlawfully committing certain acts with Charles Parker, Alfred Wood, and Edward Shelley, and with persons whose names were unknown, was resumed.

The Solicitor-General (Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C.), Mr. C. F.Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory conducted the prosecution; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended.

The examination of witnesses on the part of the prosecution was continued.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL put in the shorthand notes of the evidence given by Wilde at the hearing at this Court of the charge of libel preferred by him against the Marquis of Queensberry, and said he proposed to read a portion of it.

Mr. JUSTICE WILLS said it was not necessary that ail that evidence should be read, but the Solicitor- General and Sir Edward Clarke could read the passages to which they wished to refer.

Sir Edward Clarke then read a portion of Wilde's evidence given in examination-in-chief, and the Solicitor-General, Mr. C.F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory read extracts from his cross-examination, passages from his re-examination being read by Sir Edward Clarke.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL intimated that the evidence for the prosecution was concluded.

SIR EDWARD CLAKKE submitted that there was no case to go to the jury. He contended that there was no evidence to support the counts which charged Wilde with committing the acts alleged with persons whose names were unknown.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said it would not be right for him to say that there was no evidence to go to the jury in reference to those counts, but it was an extremely weak case, and it was the slenderest possible evidence. It seemed to him a case which was just on the line, or so very nearly on the line, that he thought his wiser and safer course would be to leave it to the jury; but he felt it to be so completely on the line, or near the line, that if necessary he would certainly reserve the question for the Court of Criminal Appeal.

SiR EDWARD CLARKE submitted that there was no corroboration of Shelley's evidence.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said there were traces in Shelley of disturbed intellect and actual delusions. He did not see any corroboration of Shelley.

The Solicitor-General submitted that Shelley was not an accomplice and that his evidence was corroborated.

MR. JUSTICE WILLS said that with regard to Shelley's case he entertained a very clear view. He had thought it well over, and had come to the conclusion, without hesitation, that, in the first place, Shelley must be treated as an accomplice. The rule was that the evidence of an accomplice must be corroborated. Apart from what Shelley said, he could see nothing but what was consistent with perfectly honourable relations between Shelley and Wilde. The letters, so far from corroborating Shelley, were opposed to the notion that there was anything dishonourable. He felt it his duty to withdraw Shelley's case from the jury.

SIR EDWARD CLARK submitted that there was no evidence to go to the jury on the other counts.

His LORDSHIP intimated that he should leave the other counts to the jury.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until to- morrow, Wilde being admitted to the same bail.

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