The West Australian - Thursday, May 2, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE WILDE CASE.
PRISONERS DENY GUILT.
CONSPIRACY CHARGES WITH-
DRAWN.
MISDEMEANOUR ACCUSATIONS
REMAIN.
London, April 30.
At the Old Bailey to-day, the charges of conspiracy against Oscar Wilde and his alleged accomplice Taylor were withdrawn. The Court, however, still proceeded to consider the accusations of misdemeanour brought against the prisoners.
Wilde entered the witness-box, and gave a most emphatic and unqualified denial to every allegation of the prosecution. So far, he declared, was he from being guilty of the horrible crimes with which his accusers credited him, that he was himself the victim of blackmail.
Taylor also gave evidence. He swore in the most absolute manner possible that he was innocent of the offences with which he is charged.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., in an eloquent address for the defence, claimed an acquittal for the prisoners. He maintained that the chief witnesses for the Crown were so tainted themselves that their testimony was wholly unreliable.
The Judge before whom the case is being tried will sum up to-morrow.