The Telegraph - Saturday, April 6, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
Society Scandal.
Oscar Wilde Libel Case.
Verdict: Not Guilty.
LONDON, April 4.
The hearing of the action for criminal libel, brought by Mr. Oscar Wilde, the well known æsthete and author, against the Marquis of Queensberry, was continued at the criminal sittings at the Old Bailey to-day. It was stated in evidence that the Marquis of Queensberry wrote to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, that if the worst were true he would be justified in shooting Mr. Oscar Wilde. He stated also that he believed that Lord Douglas was crazy, and suggested that he should leave the country.
LONDON, April 5.
Counsel for Mr. Wilde withdrew from the case this morning.
The judge then directed the jury to find the Marquis of Queensberry not guilty, which they did, holding that the defendant was justified in the action he had taken, the evidence having shown that Oscar habitually associated with the lowest of notorious and immoral men, who were chiefly servants.