The Herald - Saturday, April 6, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE LIBEL CASE.
HOW IT ENDED.
COUNSEL WITHDRAWS.
QUEENSBERRY ACQUITTED.
JURY FULLY VINDICATE
HIM.
OVATION IN THE STREETS.
LONDON. Friday Evening.
The trial of the charge of criminal libel brought against the Marquis of Queensberry at the instance of Mr Oscar Wilde, the well-known author and dramatist, came to a sudden and sensational conclusion to-day.
The trial of the charge of criminal libel brought against the Marquis of Queensberry at the instance of Mr Oscar Wilde, the well-known author and dramatist, came to a sudden and sensational conclusion to-day.
Mr E.H. Carson, Q.C., counsel for the defence, continued his speech when the hearing was resumed this morning. He said that the first time Wilde met a lad named Parker, who had previously been mentioned in the case, shocking indecencies occurred. A servant at the Savoy Hotel had found the lad under distinctly compromising circumstances.
Mr E.H. Carson, Q,C, counsel for the defence, continued his speech when the hearing was resumed this morning. He said that the first time Wilde met a lad named Parker, who had previously been mentioned in the case, shocking indecencies occurred. A servant at the Savoy Hotel had found the lad under distinctly compromising circumstances.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared to prosecute for Mr Oscar Wilde, at this stage intervened. He begged permission to allow a verdict for the defendant to be given, and to withdraw from the case.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared to prosecute for Mr Oscar Wilde, at this stage intervened. He begged permission to allow a verdict for the defendant to be given, and to withdraw from the case.
His Honor, the presiding judge, said he would assent to this course, if an unqualified withdrawal of the charge of libel were made.
His Honor, the presiding judge, said he would assent to this course, if an unqualified withdrawal of the charge of libel were made.
To this Mr Edward Clarke at once consented.
The jury instantly found a verdict that the words complained of as libellous were true in substance and in fact, and that the action taken by the defendant was for the public benefit.
The jury instantly found a verdict that the words complained of as libellous were true in substance and in fact, and that the action taken by the defendant was for the public benefit.
The Marquis of Queensberry was at once acquitted, and on leaving the court received a public ovation, being heartily cheered wherever he appeared.
The Marquis of Queensberry was at once acquitted, and on leaving the court received a public ovation, being heartily cheered wherever he appeared.