The North American - Saturday, May 25, 1895

London, May 24 — There was the usual crowd of persons in the Old Bailey Courtroom today when Sir Edward Clarke addressed the jury in behalf of his client. Oscar Wilde, who is charged with serious misdemeanors. Wilde was called to the witness box and was provided with a chair, as he seemed to be utterly broken down. Wilde, in answer to the questions put to him related how he had been on terms of intimacy with the Marquis of Queensberry’s family for years, and entirely denied the charges made against him.

Sir Frank Lockwood closely examined the defendant regarding his relations with Lord Alfred Douglas, as to how it came to pass that they occupied adjoining rooms, etc. Wilde admitted that he had made repeated visits to the rooms of Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of young men. Wilde also admitted his intimacy with other young men, whose names were mentioned during the previous trial.

Sir Edward Clarke briefly re-examined Wilde, and then made his final address to the jury, asking them to save the defendant from the ruin of his reputation, which, he added, had been nearly quenched by the torrent of prejudice in the press. Sir Frank Lockwood followed for the prosecution, but he had barely begun his address when the court was adjourned for the day.

The Marquis of Queensberry, in an interview, is quoted as saying: "I do not wish to see Wilde further punished. He has suffered enough. I only want to keep the beast from my son." When the Marquis was asked what he thought would be the verdict in Oscar Wilde’s case, he said: "I am willing to forfeit 1000 to 1 that Wilde is acquitted. There are many names back of this thing that say so. I have as much chance of dropping dead in the street today as Oscar Wilde has being of found guilty."

The Winnipeg Daily Tribune - Saturday, May 25, 1895

London, May 25 — There was the usually crowd of people in the Old Bailey court room yesterday when Sir Edward Clarke addressed the jury in behalf of his client, Oscar Wilde, who is charged with serious misdemeanors. Among those present was Lord Douglas of Hawick, the eldest son of the Marquis of Queensberry, Sir Edward Clarke at the commencement of his speech complained of the treatment to which Wilde had been subjected, and said that the defence will be excused for not putting the defendant in the witness box again "broken and unfit for the ordeal as he now is." But, continued Sir Edward, the defence had determined to do so, shortly afterward Wilde was called to the witness box and was provided with a chair, as he seemed to be utterly broken down. Wilde in answer to the question related how he had been on terms of intimacy with the Marquis of Queensberry’s family for years and entirely denied the charges made against him.

Sir Frank Lockwood, the solicitor general at the conclusion of the address of Sir Edward Clarke, began a severe cross-examination of the defendant, which lasted over an hour. Wilde said that Lord Alfred Douglas was now in Paris, where he went three weeks ago at his request. Wilde, it appeared, was in constant communication with Lord Alfred. When Wilde was asked about the famous letters which he had written to Lord Alfred praising his "red rose leaf lips" and "slim gilt soul" that walked "between poetry and passion" Sir Frank asked the defendant whether he considered this letter to be decent, Wilde replied, "decency does not come into the question."

"Do you understand the meaning of the word?" Asked counsel sternly. "Yes" replied Wilde.

Sir Frank then closely examined defendant regarding his relations with Lord Alfred Douglas, as to how it came to pass that they occupied adjoining rooms. Wilde admitted that he made repeated visits to the rooms of Alfred Taylor, where he met a number of young men. Wilde also admitted his intimacy with other young men whose names were mentioned during the previous trial.

The Marquis of Queensberry, in an interview, is quoted as saying: "I do not wish to see Wilde further punished. He has suffered enough. I only want to keep the beast from my son. You know I have carried my point and that I have been praised by the best selected jury which ever sat in God’s or man’s jury box. Consequently I do not care what else is now done to Wilde. One of his companions has been found guilty, and every one in London knows that Wilde is no better than Alfred Taylor."

When the marquis was asked what he thought would be the verdict in Oscar Wilde’s case, he said: "I am willing to forfeit 1,000 to 1 that Wilde is acquitted. There are many names back of this thing that say so. I have as much chance of dropping dead in the street today as Oscar Wilde has of being found guilty."

Wilde was found guilty today and sentenced to two years with hard labor.

Taylor, his companion in crime, was also sentenced to two years with hard labor.

The jury deliberated for two hours before bringing in a verdict of guilty.

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