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Original paragraph in
New York Herald - Sunday, May 26, 1895
New York Herald - Sunday, May 26, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Washington Post - Sunday, May 26, 1895
The Washington Post - Sunday, May 26, 1895
Difference
LONDON, May 25, 1895. The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed in the Old Bailey Court this morning, Sir Frank Lockwood continuing his
address to the jury for the prosecution. He dilated upon the intimacy of Wilde with Taylor, and said that leniency ought not to be shown to one and
refused to the other because of the position and intellect of the one.
London, May 25.—The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed in the Old Bailey Court this morning, Sir Frank Lockwood continuing his address to
the jury for the prosecution. He dilated upon the intimacy of Wilde with Taylor, and said that leniency ought be shown to one, and not the other because
of the position and intellect of the one.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against counsel's confusing Taylor's case with Wilde's.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against counsel’s confusing Taylor’s case with Wilde’s.
Sir Frank Lockwood expressed the hope that the jury would not regard Wilde's letters as "prose poems," but would appreciate them at
their proper level, which was rather lower than that of beasts.
Sir F. Lockwood expressed hope that the jury would not regard Wilde’s letters as "prose poems," but would appreciate them at their
proper level, which was rather lower than that of beasts.
Sir Edward Clarke angrily objected to the language used by the prosecuting counsel, and a heated argument between the two ensued. After
a protracted wrangle the Judge interfered, and advised Sir Frank Lockwood to confine himself to discussion of the evidence, and not to start out upon any
rhetorical denunciations of the prisoner. Mr. Lockwood finished his address by saying that Wilde's own admissions pointed conclusively to his guilt.
Sir Edward Clarke angrily objected to the language used by the prosecuting counsel, and a heated argument between the two ensued. After
a protracted wrangle the judge interfered and advised Lockwood to confine himself to discussion of the evidence, and not start out upon any rhetorical
denunciations of the prisoner.
The Judge, in summing up, said that Wilde had confessed that his conduct in regard to Lord Alfred Douglas had been such that he, the
Judge, could not ask the jury in the previous trial to say that there was no ground for charging him with having posed as a criminal. The Judge, in the
course of his charge to the jury, dealt with each of the charges contained in the indictment, his opinion being plainly and strongly against the
prisoner.
The judge, in summing up, said that Wilde had confessed that his conduct in regard to Lord Alfred Douglas had been such that he (the
judge) could not ask the jury in the previous trial to say that there was no ground for charging him with having posed as a criminal.
In regard to Wilde's letters to Lord Alfred Douglas, he said they might be "prose poems,"but they were none the less poison to a young
man's mind, and the writer was clearly not a desirable companion for the young. The Judge finished his charge at three o'clock and the jury retired.
Before the jury retired the foreman asked the Court if a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas. The Judge said
that no warrant had been issued, whereupon the foreman said: "But if we must consider these letters as evidence of guilt, they surely show that Lord
Douglas' guilt is equal to that of Wilde's."
The judge said that no warrant had been issued whereupon the foreman said: "But if we must consider these letters as evidence of guilt
they surely show that Lord Douglas’ guilt is equal to that of Wilde."
The jury occupied two hours in the consideration of the case. When they returned it was with a verdict of guilty against Wilde on
every count of the indictment, except the one with reference to Shelley. Sir Edward Clarke, on behalf of Wilde, and counsel for Alfred Taylor, made
application for a postponement of sentence. The judge peremptorily refused to grant the application.
ADDRESSED THE PRISONERS
Taylor was brought from his cell and placed in the dock with Wilde, after the ineffectual attempt of Sir Edward Clarke to get the
passing of sentence postponed until the next sessions in order that the legality of the first indictment might be argued.
Taylor was brought from his cell and placed in the dock with Wilde after the ineffectual attempt of Sir Edward Clarke to get the
passing of sentence postponed until the next session, in order that the legality of the first indictment might be argued.
The Judge then addressed the prisoners. He said that the case was the worst one he ever had to deal with. The verdict of the jury was
right. He could not persuade himself to entertain a shadow of doubt that persons who could do the things of which the prisoners had been found guilty were
dead to every sense of shame. It would be a waste of words to address them further. He could not do anything except to pass the extreme sentence allowed
by law namely, two years' imprisonment with hard labor, which, in his judgment, was totally inadequate.
The judge then addressed the prisoners. He said that the case was the worst one he ever had to deal with. The verdict of the jury was
right. He could not persuade himself to entertain a shadow of doubt that persons who could do the things of which the prisoners had been found guilty were
dead to every sense of shame. It would be a waste of words to address them further. He could not do anything except to pass the extreme sentence allowed
by law, which, in his judgment, was totally inadequate.
The judge's view was apparently shared by the spectators, as, after Wilde and Taylor had been sentenced, many persons present cried
"Shame." When the sentence was pronounced Wilde appeared to be stunned.
The Marquis of Queensberry had applied to the Treasury to recoup him the £2,000 expended in the Wilde case, The Treasury offered him
£100. The Marquis, in reply to this offer, says that unless he is reimbursed he will raise the question in Parliament.