London Daily News - Monday, April 8, 1895

PROSECUTION OF OSCAR WILDE AND TAYLOR.

A prosecution, which promises to be of a far-reaching character, was commenced at Bow-street Police- court, before Sir John Bridge, on Saturday. Oscar Wilde, who, as already announced in "The Daily News" was arrested soon after the close of his abortive prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry for libel on Friday last, was placed in the dock to answer various charges of misdemeanour under the 11th section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which makes any person guilty of transgressing its provisions liable to penal servitude for not exceeding ten years and not less than three years, or imprisonment for not exceeding two years, with or without hard labour. It will be noted that the full charge of felony was not preferred. Mr. C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, prosecuted; and Mr. Travers Humphreys, at the instance of Mr. C. O. Humphreys, defended Wilde. A remarkable incident occurred just as Mr. Gill, having concluded his opening statement, was commencing to examine the first witness. News was brought into court that the man Alfred Taylor, whose name figured so prominently in the proceedings at the Old Bailey, had just been apprehended on a warrant granted about an hour previously by the chief magistrate. The hearing was accordingly stayed while Taylor was charged "with being concerned with" Wilde in the commission of the offences alleged, and this having been done, he was also put into the dock. The smart appearance, and smiling, alert manner of the new comer contrasted very strongly with the utter dejection exhibited by his fellow prisoner who moodily acknowledged him as he stepped to his side. Mr. Gill, in opening the case, briefly explained the nature of the accusations against the two men, the statement showing that while Wilde was directly charged with the alleged crimes, it was sought to make Taylor responsible for abetting him by giving him the necessary introductions. Evidence to this effect was given by Charles Parker and William Parker, brothers, Alfred Wood, and Sydney Arthur Mavor, all lads between 18 and 20 years of age. Other witnesses were Anton Migge, a masseur, and Miss Jane Cotter, a chambermaid, who spoke to having their suspicions aroused by Wilde’s conduct at the Savoy Hotel. At the close of the hearing for the day, Mr. Travers Humphreys requested that Wilde might be liberated on bail, but Sir John Bridge at once refused the application. The case was then adjourned, both prisoners being removed in custody.