The Standard - Tuesday, May 21, 1895

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

Oscar Wilde, 40, author, and Alfred Taylor, 33, of no occupation, were indicted a second time for certain misdemeanours.— Sir Frank Lockwood (the Solicitor General), Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Horace Avory appeared to prosecute ; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., and Mr. Charles Mathews appeared for Wilde ; Mr. J. P. Grain and Mr. Clarke Hall defended Taylor.— Sir E. Clarke applied that the cases of the two Defendants might be taken separately.— The Solicitor General said the result of the Defendants being so tried would be that matter would have to be introduced which might be unfair to the other Defendant not on his trial. —The Judge said that, having carefully considered the matter, his notion was that the cases ought to be taken separately.— Sir E. Clarke applied next that the case of Wilde should be taken first.— The Judge said he could not interfere with the discretion ot the Solicitor General in this matter. — The Solicitor General elected to proceed with the case of Taylor first.— Sir E. Clarke desired to make a further application having in view the course which the Crown had taken — namely, that the trial ot Wilde should betaken at the next sessions.— The Judge said the application had better be made at the conclusion ot the case of Taylor. — The Solicitor General, in opening the case, said it would be shown in the course of the inquiry that Taylor was in close association with Oscar Wilde, who was a man of high intellectual gifts and good position. These matters had been the subject of a former inquiry, as probably the Jury were aware, but with this they had not anything to do. The testimony of the brothers Parker, upon which the prosecution relied in support of their case, was undoubtedly corroborated, and when it was laid in detail before the Jury they would probably have little difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to the guilt or the inno- cence of Taylor. Another charge against Taylor was in respect of a lad of humble position named Wood. Wood was introduced to Wilde, and went to see him at a house in Tite-street, Chelsea. Wood obtained a large sum of money from Wilde, and then went to America. — Charles Parker repeated the evidence that he gave at the former trial. The Witness was subjected to a close cross-examination by Mr. Grain, who sought to show that his testimony was not worthy of belief. Witness admitted that he had received money obtained by men named Wood and Allan from a gentleman, but he denied that it was "hush" money.— William Parker, the brother of the last Witness, gave evidence in corroboration. — Alfred Wood spoke to his relations with Taylor and Wilde, from whom he received money to go, as he said, to America. Witness spoke to the interview he had with Wilde, and as to a telegram that he received, and he identified a letter which he sent to Taylor from America. — Mr. Grain addressed the Court on behalf of Taylor, and had not concluded his speech when the Court adjourned. — Before leaving, the Judge asked the Jury to keep an open mind on the case, and not to form any conclusion until they had heard everything that had to be said on the case.