The World - Wednesday, May 1, 1895

LONDON May 1. - In the Old Bailey Court to-day Justice CHarles summed up the case against Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor, accused of serious misdemeanors.

The Justice, in so doing, said that counsel for the prosecution acted wisely in withdrawing the charge of conspiracy brought against Wilde, as he, Justice Charles, would have ordered the jury to bring in a verdict of “not guilty” on that specification.

He admitted that there was corroboration of the witnesses, but the jury, he added, would have to weigh the characters of men like Parker, Wood and Atkins, whom Sir Edward Clarke, in the Justice’s opinion, properly described as blackmailers.

The Justice also urged the jury not to be influenced by Wilde’s writings, saying that many great men had written indecently.

The jury must exercise their own judgment as to whether Wilde’s letters to Lord Alfred Douglas breathed an unnatural passion and, he also said, the relations between Shelly and Wilde would be an interesting matter for the jury’s judgment.

The jury retired at 1.30 P. M.

At 3 o’clock the jury called for lunch, and shortly after returned and reported a disagreement.

Sir Edward Clarke then made application for bail, but his request was refused and a fresh jury will probably be summoned.

When the news of the disagreement reached the outside of the court-room there was great excitment among the crowds in the streets, and the extra editions of the evening newspapers, which were issued within a few minutes after the result of the trial became known, were bought up quickly.

Wilde will be tried again at the next session of the Central Criminal Court. Throughout the proceedings to-day he was very pale, but he did not show any signs of elation when the result of the deliberations of the jury was made known.

As Sir Edward Clarke left the court he was heard to remark to a friend: “Truth is mighty and will prevail.”

Another prominent member of the Bar, whose name, however, cannot be mentioned, said: “In the face of such conclusive evidence, the jury’s decision is outrageous. Mark my words, there is something behind this.”

There was a big crowd of people outside the Old Bailey during the last stages of the famous trial to-day, but there was no demonstration for or against the prisoner upon the part of the populace. In spite of this, Wilde was kept in the court until the crowds had dispersed, before he was taken to Halloway jail.

The Philadelphia Inquirer - Thursday, May 2, 1895

LONDON, May 1.— The jury in the case of Oscar Wilde has disagreed. The accused will be tried again at the Central Criminal Court's next session.

In the Old Bailey Court to-day Justice Charles summed up the case against Wilde and Taylor. The justice said counsel for the prosecution acted wisely in withdrawing the charge of conspiracy brought against Wilde as he, Justice Charles, would have ordered the jury to bring in a verdict of not guilty on that specification. The justice urged the jury not to be influenced by Wilde's writings, saying that many great men had written indecently.

THE JURY RETIRED.

The jury retired at 1.30 P. M. At 3 P. M. they requested that lunch be given them. After lunch, the jury resumed their deliberations and afterwards returned and announced that there was no possibility of their coming to an agreement as to a verdict.

Counsel for the prisoners then made application for bail, but his request was refused and a fresh jury will probably be summoned.

When the news of the disagreement reached the outside of the court room there was great excitement among the crowds in the streets.

WILL BE TRIED AGAIN.

Wilde will be tried again at the next session of the Central Criminal Court. Throughout the proceedings to-day he was very pale, but he did not show any signs of elation when the result of the deliberations of the jury was made known.

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