The Standard - Saturday, April 27, 1895

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT
(Before Mr. Justice CHARLES.)
THE CASE OF WILDE AND TAYLOR

Oscar Wilde, aged 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, described as of no occupation, were severally indicted for certain misdemeanours. — Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avnry appeared for the prosecution; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., M.P., Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended Wilde : Mr. J. P. Grain and Mr. Paul Taylor defended Alfred Taylor. Mr. Kershaw watched the case on behalf of persons interested. — Sir Edward Clarke submitted that the Defendants could not be called upon to plead to an indictment which contained charges under the Criminal Law Amendment Act and conspiracy. Under the provisions of that Act, in respect of particular charges, the Defendants were competent witnesses : in the conspiracy charge tbe Defendants were not competent witnesses. He submitted that the prosecution could not add a charge for an offence upon which the Prisoners could give evidence and be cross-examined, when the result of such cross-examination might tend to influence the Jury adversely to them with regard to the other counts of the indictment upon which they could not give evidence. — The Judge said he did not think the fact that under the Criminal Law Amendment Act an accused being a competent witness altered the general law in respect of the present indictment, or differed from the general criminal law of the country affecting an indictment for offences not under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. — The Defendants severally pleaded Not Guilty.— Sir E. Clarke next contended that the prosecution should elect as to which of the charges they would proceed with — the charge for conspiracy, or the charges under the Cri- minal Law Amendment Act. — The Judge said he saw no reason for adopting the course he was asked to take by Sir E. Clarke. — Mr. Gill, in opening the case, said he felt sure that the Jury would dismiss from their minds everything that they had read or heard of the case, and would carefully and impartially consider the facts called in support of the allegations against tho two Prisoners. He recounted the circumstances under which the charges had arisen, remarking that the Defendants would have an opportunity of answering the charges, and of telling their own stories. In the present indictment, which contained 25 counts, charges were made against the Defendants in regard to the young man Parker, and in respect of others. These persons would be called, and would give evidence in corroboration of the charges. Very great influence was exercised over Parker by Taylor, but eventually Parker severed his association with these people. Independent evidence would also be called in corroboration of the case. Telegrams which had passed between Wilde and Taylor would be put in evidence. These documents came into the possession of the authorities in the course of the inquiries which were instituted, and they formed, as he submitted, abundant corroboration of the charges. — The following evidence was taken : — Charles Parker repeated the evidence given in the police-court as to his association with Wilde and as to the sums of money which Wilde had paid him. In August Witness was arrested, in the company of Taylor, at a house in Fitzroy-square. Witness left Taylor in August, 1894, and joined the Army. He made afterwards a statement in respect of the Queensberry libel case. — Cross-examined : Witness received 30l., part of a sum of money extorted by men named Wood and Allen, from a gentleman. — How much money did Wood and Allen tell you that they bad obtained altogether? — 300l. or 400l. (sensation). When you had spent your money you went into the Army? — Yes. I suppose you found Mr. Wilde an amusing and brilliant talker at the dinner?— Yes. He did not know Wilde before Taylor introduced him. — Did other persons see you at your room in Park- walk ? — Taylor used to come there. — Did Wood come ? — No. Did you hear that Wood got 20l. or 30l. from Mr. Wilde for some letters ? — Witness did not hear that he got the money. He knew Allen. He did not know that Wood bad stolen the letters. There was no con- cealment about his going about with Wilde. — By Mr, Grain: He was quite sure that 30l. was the only sum that he had ever received under similar circumstances. The letters referred to belonged to Lord A. Douglas, to whom Witness was introduced by Taylor. — William Parker, the brother of the last Witness, gave evidence relative to his acquaintance with Taylor. This evidence was corroborative of that given by the last Witness in regard to their association with the Prisoners. — Mrs. Grant, residing at 13, Little Collett-street, where Taylor had apartments, spoke as to the conditions under which he lived there. The walls of the room were draped, and candles were burned. — Lucy Rumsby spoke of Parker taking rooms in Park-walk. — Alfred Wood, formerly a clerk, spoke to being introduced to Wilde, at the Cafe Royal, by Lord Alfred Douglas, through the medium of a telegram. He accompanied Wilde to his address in Tite-street, Chelsea. — The Witness had not concluded his evidence when the Court rose. The Defendants were removed in custody.