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Original paragraph in
The Age - Monday, May 27, 1895
The Age - Monday, May 27, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Lyttelton Times - Monday, May 27, 1895
The Lyttelton Times - Monday, May 27, 1895
Difference
The trial of Oscar Wilde, the dramatic author, on charges of criminal indecency, was resumed before Mr. Justice Wills to-day.
Wilde, who was so weak that he could not stand, was accommodated with a seat in the witness box while giving evidence on his own behalf.
He denied absolutely all the charges, and said that he had always understood that Taylor, who had been previously charged with the same
offence and convicted, was a respectable man. With reference to the low social grade of the persons with whom during the trial he had been proved to have
associated, Wilde stated that the reason of his friendship was that personally he liked them, and considered "lionised" delightful.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., counsel for the prisoner, in addressing the jury, characterised the witnesses against his client as blackmailers,
and urged that it was impossible to believe their evidence.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q. C., counsel for the accused, declared that the witnesses for the prosecution were blackmailers, and that it was
impossible to believe them.
The jury, after deliberating in retirement for two hours, returned a verdict against Wilde of guilty on all the counts.
Mr. Justice Wills, in passing sentence on the two convicted men, Taylor and Wilde, spoke with great emotion, and said he found it
difficult enough to restrain his feelings. The verdict of the jury was, his Honor said, correct beyond the shadow of a doubt. He felt that it would be
useless to address the prisoners, as they must be dead to all sense of shame. The case was the worst that had ever been tried before him, and he must pass
the severest sentence which the law permitted, though he regretted that this was totally inadequate.
Justice Wills then sentenced Wilde and Taylor each to two years' imprisonment, with hard labor.
Taylor bore the sentence well, and left the dock with a firm step, but Wilde seemed quite dazed and stunned. His face was frightfully
haggard, and for a few moments he stared with despairing, horror-struck looks straight before him.
Then he muttered weakly a request that he might be permitted to address the judge. No attention was paid to the request, and the gaol
warders immediately removed him to the cells.