The Morning Post - Monday, May 27, 1895

At the Central Criminal Court on Saturday, before Mr. Justice Wills, the trial was resumed and concluded of Oscar Wilde, aged 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; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended.

The Solicitor-General completed his speech in reply for the Crown. He submitted that the charges had been established beyond all reasonable doubt, and that the Jury could come to no conclusion other than that the accused was a guilty man.

His Lordship, in summing up, dealt at length with the specific charges, and commented on the evidence called by the Crown. The Jury ought not to act upon the evidence of accomplices unless it was substantially corroborated. Several of the matters that had been laid before them, upon which they were invited to act, were certainly open to suspicion. They ought to be influenced by the facts alone, and every other consideration not relevant to the issue should be excluded.

The Foreman of the Jury, interposing, asked if a warrant had been granted for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas, and, if not, whether it was contemplated.

His Lordship said he did not know. He would warn the Jury not to allow themselves to be influenced in the least by the absence of Lord Alfred Douglas. If it was necessary, he felt sure that the proper steps would be taken in regard to him.

The Jury retired to consider their verdict at half-past three o'clock. After a deliberation of over two hours they returned with a verdict of guilty on all the counts with the exception of that in respect to Shelley.

Alfred Taylor, who was convicted earlier in the week, was then placed in the dock for sentence. He appeared quite indifferent to his position.

Sir Edward Clarke applied for a postponement of sentence until the next Sessions, on the ground that a demurrer had to be argued affecting the validity of the indictment.

His Lordship pointed out that the fact of sentence being passed could not prejudice any argument raised on such a point.

Mr. C. F. Gill said that the matter was decided by Mr. Justice Charles at the last trial.

His Lordship declined to postpone sentence.

Addressing Oscar Wilde and Taylor, he said that their cases were the worst that he had ever tried. He quite agreed with the verdict of the Jury. The maximum sentence which he could pass was not adequate to meet the justice of the case. He ordered both the prisoners to be imprisoned and kept at hard labour for two years.

Wilde—May I say anything, my Lord?

He was not permitted to speak, a warder touching him on the shoulder, and he then turned and left the dock. Both the prisoners were conveyed the same evening to Pentonville Prison, where their sentences will be served.

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.

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