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Original paragraph in
The Boston Globe - Wednesday, May 1, 1895
The Boston Globe - Wednesday, May 1, 1895
Most similar paragraph from
The Boston Daily Advertiser - Thursday, May 2, 1895
The Boston Daily Advertiser - Thursday, May 2, 1895
Difference
LONDON, May 1 -The Old Bailey court room was crowded at the opening of the Wilde trial this morning. There was a good deal of
speculation as to what course the judge would pursue in his charge to the jury, and the consensus of opinion seemed to be that the result of the trial
depended more upon the charge of the court than upon the views taken by the jurors.
Wilde looked careworn and anxious, but Taylor maintained the air of unconcern which has characterized him throughout.
Justice Charles, in the beginning of his charge, said the evidence had not sustained the charge of conspiracy, and he therefore
directed the jury to acquit the prisoners of those charges.
Justice Charles, in the beginning of his charge, said that the evidence had not sustained the charge of conspiracy, and he, therefeore
directed the Jury to acquit the prisoners of those charges.
The judge then proceeded to analyze the evidence, solely referring to Wilde, and begged the jury to dismiss from their minds all press
comments and other outside expressions of opinion upon the case.
It was a wholesome rule, he said, to refuse to accept the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice.
He was of the opinion, however, that there was corroboration in the testimony of all the witnesses in the sense that the law
required.
It did not, it was true, amount to seeing the actual act, but it showed the relations and general conduct of the parties.
The young men who had been called to the witness stand were not only accomplices, but Parker, Wood and Atkins were properly described
as blackmailers.
Furthermore, Atkins had told deliberate falsehoods within the hearing of the jury.
In weighing the details of the evidence of these witnesses, the jury could not overlook the fact that they were persons of the
character which they themselves had asserted.
The judge then proceeded to trace the history of the Queensberry trial.
In regard to Wilde’s literature, he did not think that in a criminal case the jury ought to base an unfavorable inference upon Wilde’s
authorship of "Dorian Gray."
As regarded the story of the priest and acolyte in the Chameleon (magazine), he thought it would be absurd to impute blame to
Wilde.
The sonnets of Lord Alfred Douglas, which Wilde had approved, were much more material, as were also Wilde’s letters, which Mr Carson,
in the Queensberry trial, had described as horribly indecent.
These letters were couched in the language of passionate love, but Wilde denied that there was anything in them to be ashamed of.
The jury, he said, must exercise their own judgment in regard to the letters.
He then proceeded to deal at length with the case of Shelley, who, he said, was not tainted with blackmail.
Shelley's letters showed that his mind had become excited.
The judge, in concluding his charge, said the case was one of great importance to the community. If the jury believed that the charges
against the prisoners were true they should say so fearlessly.
The judge, in concluding his charge, said the case was one of great importance to the community. If the jury believed that the charges
against the prisoners were true they should say so fearlessly.
The jury retired at 1.30 o'clock p m.
The jury disagreed.
After deliberating three and a half hours the jury returned to the court room and announced that they had failed to agree on a
verdict.
They were thereupon discharged, and the prisoners were remitted for a new trial. Application was made for the admission of Wilde and
Taylor to bail, but the judge refused to accept bail for either of them.
London, May 1. - The jury in the Wilde case have been discharged and the prisonsers remitted for a new trial. Application was made
for the admission of Wilde and Taylor to bail, but the judge refused to accept bail for either of them.