The Weekly Times - Saturday, May 25, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
TOWN EDITION.
OUR CABLE SERVICE.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
The London Scandal.
WILDE AND
TAYLOR.
LONDON, May 20.
There was enormous public interest taken to-day in the proceedings before the Criminal Court, and a very large attendance at the Old Bailey.
There was an enormous public interest taken to-day in the proceedings before the Criminal Court, and a very large attendance at the Old Bailey.
The occasion was the presentation for re-trial of Oscar Wilde, the famous dramatic author, and his alleged accomplice, Alfred Taylor.
The occasion was the presentation for re-trial of Oscar Wilde, the famous dramatic author, and his alleged accomplice, Alfred Taylor.
These men underwent trial at the beginning of the month, when two accusations were preferred. Oscar Wilde was charged, under the provisions of the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, with committing an abominable offence, and also with conspiring with Alfred Taylor for the purpose of the commission of similar offences. Like charges were made against Taylor. The conspiracy case utterly broke down, and the jury, under direction, found the accused not guilty. On the other charge the jury were unable to agree in regard to either of the accused and the latter were consequently remanded.
These men underwent trial at the beginning of the month, when two accusations were preferred. Oscar Wilde was charged, under the provisions of the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, with committing an abominable offence, and also with conspiring with Alfred Taylor for the purpose of the commission of similar offences. Like charges were made against Taylor. The conspiracy case utterly broke down and the jury, under direction, found the accused not guilty. On the other charge the jury were unable to agree in regard to either of the accused, and the latter were consequently remanded.
The re-trial, which opened to-day, was before Mr Justice Wills.
Charging the Grand Jury, to whom, in the first instance, the cases are sent, Mr Justice Wills suggested that as the jury had failed to agree in the former trial, and the charge of conspiracy no longer stood, Wilde and Taylor ought now to be presented separately.
Charging the Grand Jury, to whom, in the first instance, the cases are sent, Sir Justice Wills suggested that as the jury had failed to agree in the former trial, and the charge of conspiracy no longer stood, Wilde and Taylor ought now to be presented separately.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared for Oscar Wilde, approved of his Honor's suggestion, and further agreed that the case of Wilde ought to be postponed until the next session of the Court.
Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., who appeared for Oscar Wilde, approved of his Honor's suggestion, and further agreed that the case of Wilde ought to be postponed until the next session of the Court.
The Grand Jury accepted the learned judge's view and decided that Taylor should be tried first.
The Grand Jury accepted the learned judge's view and decided that Taylor should be tried first.
The Grand Jury accepted the suggestion of the judge, and it was decided that Taylor's case should be tried first.
Sir Edward Clarke renewed his application that Wilde's trial be postponed until next session.
Mr F. Lockwood, Q.C., who appeared to prosecute for the Crown, opposed the application.
Mr Justice Wills said that he would not deal with the matter at all at that stage. He preferred to await the issue of the trial of Taylor, when he would finally decide whether there seemed to be reason for granting a postponement of the trial of the other prisoner.
Mr Justice Wills said that he would not deal with the matter at all at that stage. He preferred to await the issue of the trial of Taylor, when he would finally decide whether there seemed to be reason for granting a postponement of the trial of the other prisoner.
Oscar Wilde was then admitted to bail.
The taking of evidence was at once proceeded with in the case against Taylor. The principal witness again was the young man Charles Parker, a valet out of place, who figured so prominently in both the first trial and as a witness for the defence in the abortive proceedings taken by Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. The witness remained steadfast, under cross-examination, as to the visitations to and conduct of Oscar Wilde at these rooms.
The taking of evidence was at once proceeded with in the case against Taylor. The principal witness again was the young man Charles Parker, a valet out of place, who figured so prominently in both the first trial and as a witness for the defence in the abortive proceedings taken by Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. Parker again testified to the character of Taylor's three rooms in Little College street, Westminster. These apartments were sumptuously furnished, and ever heavy with perfumes, and from them daylight was always excluded. The witness remained steadfast, under cross-examination, as to the visitations to and conduct of Oscar Wilde at these rooms.
Counsel for the defence of Taylor claimed the discharge of the accused on the ground that the only material evidence against him came from a tainted source — from the mouth of the witness Charles Parker.
Counsel for the defence of Taylor claimed the discharge of the accused on the ground that the only material evidence against him came from a tainted source — from the mouth of the witness Charles Parker.
The case was not concluded when the Court adjourned for the day.
TAYLOR CONVICTED.
LONDON, May 21.
At the Old Bailey the trial of Alfred Taylor, with whom Wilde has had a now notorious association, was resumed before Mr Justice Wills.
At the Old Bailey the trial of Alfred Taylor, with whom Wilde has had a now notorious association, was resumed before Mr Justice Wills.
There were two charges in the indictment against him at the second trial, which was opened yesterday, and finished this evening.
There were two charges in the indictment against him at the second trial, which was opened yesterday, and finished this evening.
The first charge was that of procuring the commission of an offence on the part of Oscar Wilde and the young valet, Charles Parker. The second was that of himself committing abominable offences with Charles Parker and that person's brother, a groom named William Parker.
The first charge was that of procuring the commission of an offence on the part of Oscar Wilde and the young valet, Charles Parker. The second was that of himself committing abominable offences with Charles Parker and that person's brother, a groom named William Parker.
The jury found that accused was himself twice guilty of indecency, as already cabled. But they found also that the prisoner once procured for Oscar Wilde. The jury, however, disagreed as to whether Wilde on that occasion committed any indecency.
The jury found that accused was himself twice guilty of indecency, as already cabled. But they found also that the prisoner once procured for Oscar Wilde. Ihe jury, however, disagreed as to whether Wilde on that occasion committed any indecency.
Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C., the Solicitor General who appeared to prosecute, [an]nounced that the Crown would not, in view of Taylor having been convicted on the second charge, persist with the first.
Sir F. Lockwood, Q.C, the Solicitor-General, who appeared to prosecute, announced that the Crown would not, in view of Taylor having been convicted on the second charge, persist with the first.
The jury were then discharged and Taylor remanded for sentence.
WILDE'S TRIAL.
LONDON, May 21.
At the close of the trial of Alfred Taylor at the Old Bailey to-day, his Honor Mr. Justice Wills gave his reserved decision on the application made to him yesterday by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., for a postponement until next session of the trial of Oscar Wilde.
At the close of the trial of Alfred Taylor at the Old Bailey to-day, his Honor Mr Justice Wills gave his reserved decision on the application made to him yesterday by Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., for a postponement until next session of the trial of Oscar Wilde.
Mr Justice Wills said that he did not perceive any reason why it should be granted. Therefore, he felt it to be his duty to refuse the request.
Mr Justice Wills said that he did not perceive any sufficient reason why it should be granted. Therefore, he felt it to be his duty to refuse the request.