The Herald - Friday, May 24, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OUR CABLES.
HERALD SPECIAL SERVICE.
OSCAR WILDE,
THE APOSTLE OF CULTURE.
IN THE HANDS OF A JURY.
SECOND TRIAL CONTINUED.
YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
ONE COUNT WITHDRAWN.
CASE NOT FINISHED.
LONDON, Thursday Night.
The trial of Oscar Wilde, the well-known dramatic author, on five charges of abominable indecency, was continued at the Old Bailey to-day, before Mr Justice Wills and a jury.
The trial of Oscar Wilde, the well-known dramatic author, on five charges of abominable indecency, was continued at the Old Bailey to-day, before Mr Justice Wills and a jury.
The trial of Oscar Wilde, the dramatic author, on charges of criminal indecency, was resumed before Mr. Justice Wills to-day.
The trial of Oscar Wilde, the dramatic author, on charges of criminal indecency, was resumed before Mr. Justice Wills to-day.
Public interest in the case was still maintained in a very high degree, and the court and its surroundings were crowded all day.
Public interest in the case was still maintained in a very high degree, and the court and its surroundings were crowded all day.
The accused, although still pale and haggard, giving exterior evidence of much mental suffering, was much firmer in his demeanor in the dock than he was yesterday.
The accused, although still pale and haggard, giving exterior evidence of much mental suffering, was much firmer in his demeanor in the dock than he was yesterday.
There was little fresh in the evidence adduced, the statements of the several witnesses for the prosecution being much the same as those given at the previous trial, and not shaken in any essential particular by cross-examination.
There was little fresh in the evidence adduced, the statements of the several witnesses for the prosecution being much the same as those given at the previous trial, and not shaken in any essential particular by cross-examination.
The case for the Crown being closed.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared for the prisoner, asked his Honor to withdraw from the jury the count alleging indecent conduct on the part of Wilde with the young valet out of work, Charles Parker, at the rooms occupied by the prisoner at the Savoy Hotel. Counsel urged that Parker's evidence was not corroborated and that there was no issue to send to a jury.
The case for the Crown being closed, Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared for the prisoner, asked his Honor to withdraw from the jury the count alleging indecent conduct on the part of Wilde with the young valet out of work, Charles Parker, at the rooms occupied by the prisoner at the Savoy Hotel. Counsel urged that Parker's evidence was not corroborated and that there was no issue to send to a jury.
Mr. Justice Wills said that in the part of the case relating to what had occurred at the Savoy Hotel, the testimony was so evenly balanced that the wiser course appeared to him to be to submit it to the jury. His duty prevented him from acceding to the request to withdraw the count from the jury, therefore Sir Edward Clarke's application could not be granted.
Mr Justice Wills said that in the part of the case relating to what had occurred at the Savoy Hotel, the testimony was so evenly balanced that the wiser course appeared to him to be to submit it to the jury. His duty prevented him from acceding to the request to withdraw the count from the jury, therefore Sir Edward Clarke's application could not be granted.
Sir Edward Clarke drew his Honor's attention next to the count in relation to the young man Edward Shelley, a former employe of a firm of publishers, and urged that the Crown had in this instance failed to make out any case for the determination of a jury.
Sir Edward Clarke drew his Honor's attention to the count in relation to the young man Edward Shelley, a former employe of a firm of publishers, and urged that the Crown had in this instance failed to make out any case for the determination of a jury.
His Honor agreed with counsel for the defence and dismissed the count. In reviewing the relations between Wilde and young Shelley, the judge said that there had been no corroboration of the single Crown witness in support of its allegations. Shelley, it was apparent, suffered from delusions. He (the judge) could see nothing unnatural in the friendship which Wilde had formed for this young gentleman, who was imbued with strong literary tastes, and had been attracted to Wilde by a literary instinct. The evidence did not show that the friendship between Wilde and Shelley was other than a perfectly honorable one.
His Honor agreed with counsel for the defence and dismissed the count. In reviewing the relations between Wilde and young Shelley, the judge said that there had been no corroboration of the single Crown witness in support of its allegations. Shelley, it was apparent, suffered from delusions. He (the judge) could see nothing unnatural in the friendship which Wilde had formed for this young gentleman, who was imbued with strong literary tastes, and had been attracted to Wilde by a literary instinct. The evidence did not show that the friendship between Wilde and Shelley was other than a perfectly honorable one.
The further hearing was then adjourned until next day.