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Original paragraph in
The Weekly Times - Saturday, May 25, 1895
The Weekly Times - Saturday, May 25, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Herald - Thursday, May 23, 1895
The Herald - Thursday, May 23, 1895
Difference
There was enormous public interest taken to-day in the proceedings before the Criminal Court, and a very large attendance at the Old
Bailey.
The occasion was the presentation for re-trial of Oscar Wilde, the famous dramatic author, and his alleged accomplice, Alfred Taylor.
These men underwent trial at the beginning of the month, when two accusations were preferred. Oscar Wilde was charged, under the
provisions of the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, with committing an abominable offence, and also with conspiring with Alfred Taylor for
the purpose of the commission of similar offences. Like charges were made against Taylor. The conspiracy case utterly broke down, and the jury, under
direction, found the accused not guilty. On the other charge the jury were unable to agree in regard to either of the accused and the latter were
consequently remanded.
The re-trial, which opened to-day, was before Mr Justice Wills.
Charging the Grand Jury, to whom, in the first instance, the cases are sent, Mr Justice Wills suggested that as the jury had failed to
agree in the former trial, and the charge of conspiracy no longer stood, Wilde and Taylor ought now to be presented separately.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared for Oscar Wilde, approved of his Honor's suggestion, and further agreed that the case of Wilde
ought to be postponed until the next session of the Court.
The Grand Jury accepted the learned judge's view and decided that Taylor should be tried first.
Sir Edward Clarke renewed his application that Wilde's trial be postponed until next session.
Mr F. Lockwood, Q.C., who appeared to prosecute for the Crown, opposed the application.
Mr Justice Wills said that he would not deal with the matter at all at that stage. He preferred to await the issue of the trial of
Taylor, when he would finally decide whether there seemed to be reason for granting a postponement of the trial of the other prisoner.
Oscar Wilde was then admitted to bail.
The taking of evidence was at once proceeded with in the case against Taylor. The principal witness again was the young man Charles
Parker, a valet out of place, who figured so prominently in both the first trial and as a witness for the defence in the abortive proceedings taken by
Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. The witness remained steadfast, under cross-examination, as to the visitations to and conduct of Oscar Wilde at
these rooms.
Counsel for the defence of Taylor claimed the discharge of the accused on the ground that the only material evidence against him came
from a tainted source — from the mouth of the witness Charles Parker.
The case was not concluded when the Court adjourned for the day.
TAYLOR CONVICTED.
At the Old Bailey the trial of Alfred Taylor, with whom Wilde has had a now notorious association, was resumed before Mr Justice
Wills.
There were two charges in the indictment against him at the second trial, which was opened yesterday, and finished this evening.
The first charge was that of procuring the commission of an offence on the part of Oscar Wilde and the young valet, Charles Parker. The
second was that of himself committing abominable offences with Charles Parker and that person's brother, a groom named William Parker.
The jury found that accused was himself twice guilty of indecency, as already cabled. But they found also that the prisoner once
procured for Oscar Wilde. The jury, however, disagreed as to whether Wilde on that occasion committed any indecency.
The jury found that accused was himself twice guilty of indecency, as already cabled. But they found also that the prisoner once procured
for Oscar Wilde. Ihe jury, however, disagreed as to whether Wilde on that occasion committed any indecency.
Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C., the Solicitor General who appeared to prosecute, [an]nounced that the Crown would not, in view of Taylor having
been convicted on the second charge, persist with the first.
The jury were then discharged and Taylor remanded for sentence.
At the close of the trial of Alfred Taylor at the Old Bailey to-day, his Honor Mr. Justice Wills gave his reserved decision on the
application made to him yesterday by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., for a postponement until next session of the trial of Oscar Wilde.
Mr Justice Wills said that he did not perceive any reason why it should be granted. Therefore, he felt it to be his duty to refuse the
request.