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The North American - Saturday, April 27, 1895
London, April 26 — Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were brought up for trial today at the Old Bailey and pleaded not guilty. Men and women twenty deep filled the corridors of the Old Bailey before 10 A. M., and fought vainly for standing room near the point of vantage, the door though which the prisoners must enter court. Wilde was dressed as upon his former appearance in court, but his face was drawn and haggard, his hair had been cut, and his swagger had entirely disappeared.
Mr. C. F. Gill, on behalf of the Treasury, opened the case for the prosecution, reciting the known history of the case, dwelling upon the association of Wilde with Taylor, and giving a graphic description of Taylor’s perfumed rooms, where Wilde was in the habit of meeting his associates. Counsel went in detail through the various charges, reviewing all the testimony which has already been presented. Charles Parker was the first witness. His testimony was most revolting, bur the judge held it to be necessary that the charges against Wilde should be explained in detail.
The Ottawa Citizen - Saturday, April 27, 1895
London, April 20.- Men and women twenty deep, filled the corridors of the Old Bailey, before ten o'clock and fought vainly for standing room near the vantage - the door through which the prisoners Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor must enter the court.
The counsel for the prosecution were early to their places. The jury, composed of intelligent appearing middle-aged tradesmen, was polled at 10.20 a.m., and a few minutes later Wilde and Taylor were escorted into court and placed in the prisoners' dock.
Wilde was dressed as faultlessly as upon his former appearance in court, but his face was drawn and haggard, his hair had been cut and his swaggering nonchalant air had entirely disappeared.
Justice Charles opened court at 10.25 a.m., and a lengthy discussion followed as to whether the prisoners should be tried on all the twenty-five separate counts of the indictment.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q C, counsel for the defence, objected to such a course, but the judge overruled him.
The prisoners then pleaded not guilty.
Mr. C. F. Gill, on behalf of the Treasury, opened the case for the prosecution, reciting the known history of the case, dwelling upon the association of Wilde with Taylor and giving a graphic description of Taylor's darkened perfumed rooms, where Wilde was in the habit of meeting his masculine intimates. Counsel went in detail through the various charges, reviewing all the testimony which has already been presented.
Charles Parker was the first witness. His testimony was most revolting, but the judge held it to be necessary that the charges against Wilde should explained in detail.
Taylor maintained his air of unconcern.
It was no wonder that Wilde looked uncomfortable; for the evidence given by young Parker was vastly more disgusting than the testimony he gave at the hearings in the Bow Street Police court. Upon cross-examination he swore that the Wood and Allen lads of the same stripe as himself had received £400 blackmail from a gentleman with whom they were guilty of misconduct in the gentleman's lodgings and that he himself has received £30 from the same person, for the same reason.