Auckland Star - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 4.

In the libel action, Oscar Wilde v. the Marquis of Queensberry, it was stated that the Marquis of Queensberry wrote to his son, saying he believed he was crazy, and suggesting he should leave the country.

Wilde admitted intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing.

Lord Douglas's letters showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The Marquis' letter referred to an eminent statesman, but the reference was political.

Wilde's case is closed.

Mr Carson, in opening the case for the defence, declared that the plaintiff's proteges were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified the charges against him. In conclusion, Mr Carson claimed that the defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove the case up to the hilt.

London, April 4.

The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensbury finished to-day, a verdict of "not guilty" being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensbury were of public benefit.

Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case, and Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid appalling evidence which would be adduced.

The verdict was received with loud cheers.

It is to be expected Wilde will be arrested. No warrant has yet been applied for, but counsel for the Marquis of Queensbury has sent the Public Prosecutor the statements of witnesses, and a note on the evidence in order to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

The Bay of Plenty Times - Monday, April 8, 1895

The Queensberry libel case.

London, April 7.—The charge of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry is finished, a verdict of not guilty being returned by the jury who considered the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were of public benefit.

Oscar Wilde's counsel withdrew from the case.

Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiff's literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person.

He explained that the reason he withdrew from the case was to avoid the appalling evidence which would be adduced.

The verdict was received with loud cheers.

Oscar Wilde has been arrested.

Wilde publishes a letter stating that he abandoned his case to avoid placing Lord Douglas in the witness box.

After the warrant had been issued for Wilde's arrest the police detained three essential witnesses.

Lord Douglas and two men remained in conference with Wilde at the Viaduct Hotel, Holborn, several hours after the trial and lunched together in a private room. Subsequently they drove to the Bank where Wilde withdrew a large sum of money. He was then lost sight of until arrested in the evening at a hotel in Sloane Street.

Lord Douglas was much distressed when he found he was unable to bail him out.

After the trial the Marquis of Queensberry sent Wilde a message stating that he would shoot htm if he took his son abroad.

Taylor has also been arrested and will be charged in conjunction with Wilde; the latter's name has been withdrawn from the play bills of the London and American theatres.

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