The South Australian Chronicle - Saturday, May 25, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
OSCAR WILDE.
LONDON, May 20.
Oscar Wilde and his accomplice Alfred Taylor appeared before his Honor Sir Alfred Wills in the Court of the Queen's Bench this morning, charged with having committed offences under the eleventh clause of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Oscar Wilde and his accomplice Alfred Taylor appeared before his Honor Sir Alfred Wills in the Court of the Queen's Bench this morning, charged with having committed offences under the eleventh clause of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
Mr. Justice Wills having charged the grand jury suggested that the cases against Wilde and Taylor should be tried separately, and the court having decided to hear the charges against Taylor first Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., the counsel for the defence, entered an objection, but afterwards withdrew his opposition and asked that the case against Oscar Wilde might be postponed until the next sessions.
Mr. Justice Wills having charged the grand jury suggested that the cases against Wilde and Taylor should be tried separately, and the court having decided to hear the charges against Taylor first Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., the counsel for the defence, entered an objection, but afterwards withdrew his opposition and asked that the case against Oscar Wilde might be postponed until the next sessions.
The presiding judge declined to entertain the request, stating that the court would await the result of the charges against Taylor before deciding when the other case would be heard.
The presiding judge declined to entertain the request, stating that the court would await the result of the charges against Taylor before deciding when the other case would be heard.
Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., having failed to secure the postponement of the charges against Oscar Wilde, asked that he might be tried separately from the defendant Taylor. The Crown Prosecutor was in favor of the cases being tried jointly.
Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., having failed to secure the postponement of the charges against Oscar Wilde, asked that he might be tried separately from the defendant Taylor. The Crown Prosecutor was in favor of the cases being tried jointly.
At the second trial, before Mr. Justice Wills, to-day, the evidence originally given by the witnesses Parker and Woods as to the manner in which the rooms frequented by Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were conducted was repeated without variation.
At the second trial, before Mr. Justice Wills, to-day, the evidence originally given by the witnesses Parker and Woods as to the manner in which the rooms frequented by Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor were conducted was repeated without variation.
Both witnesses were subjected to a rigorous cross-examination by Sir Edward Clark, Q.C., the counsel for the defence, but their testimony was not shaken in any particular.
Both witnesses were subjected to a rigorous cross-examination by Sir Edward Clark, Q.C., the counsel for the defence, but their testimony was not shaken in any particular.
HIS ACCOMPLICE FOUND GUILTY.
LONDON, May 21.
Alfred Taylor, who was associated with Oscar Wilde in the former trial on charges of committing offences under the eleventh clause of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act, was arraigned separately on the present occasion, and this afternoon the jury brought in a verdict of "guilty" in respect to two acts of indecency. In reference to the charges of procuration the jury disagreed.
Alfred Taylor, who was associated with Oscar Wilde in the former trial on charges of committing offences under the eleventh clause of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act, was arraigned separately on the present occasion, and this afternoon the jury brought in a verdict of "guilty" in respect to two acts of indecency. In reference to the charges of procuration the jury disagreed.
His Honor Mr. Justice Wills deferred sentence pending the result of the accusation against Wilde.
His Honor Mr. Justice Wills deferred sentence pending the result of the accusation against Wilde.
THE JURY DISAGREE IN WILDE'S CASE.
LONDON, May 21, 6.25 p.m.
The hearing of the case against Oscar Wilde has concluded abortively. The jury were unable to agree, and were accordingly dismissed.
The hearing of the case against Oscar Wilde has concluded abortively. The jury were unable to agree, and were accordingly dismissed.
Another trial has been decided upon and the case will be heard again to-morrow before a fresh jury.
Another trial has been decided upon and the case will be heard again to-morrow before a fresh jury.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., ex-Solicitor-General, who appeared for Wilde, directly the foreman of the jury announced their inability to arrive at a decision, asked the judge to order that the new trial of Wilde should be opened immediately.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., ex-Solicitor-General, who appeared for Wilde, directly the foreman of the jury announced their inability to arrive at a decision, asked the judge to order that the new trial of Wilde should be opened immediately.
Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C., the Solicitor General, who prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, at once rose and angrily declared that he expected some such request as this would be made by the prisoner's counsel, who was availing himself of the advantage of the position arising out of the separate hearing of the charges against Taylor and Wilde.
Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C., the Solicitor-General, who prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, at once rose and angrily declared that he expected some such request as this would be made by the prisoner's counsel, who was availing himself of the advantage of the position arising out of the separate hearing of the charges against Taylor and Wilde.
A scene appeared imminent, when his Honor Mr. Justice Wills decided to postpone further proceedings till next day.
A scene appeared imminent, when his Honor Mr. Justice Wills decided to postpone further proceedings till next day.
LONDON, May 22, 12.30 p.m.
In the case of Oscar Wilde, charged on several counts with indecency, the second trial was commenced this morning, the court being crowded. The Marquis of Queensberry was present.
In the case of Oscar Wilde, charged on several counts with indecency, the second trial was commenced this morning, the court being crowded. The Marquis of Queensberry was present.
The persons in relation to whom the charges against Wilde were brought were Taylor, Parkes, Woods, and Shelley. The evidence for the prosecution was unshaken.
The persons in relation to whom the charges against Wilde were brought were Taylor, Parkes, Woods, and Shelley. The evidence for the prosecution was unshaken.