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.

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.

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