The Star - Thursday, May 2, 1895

OSCAR WILDE CASE
THE JURY DISAGREE.

There was a crowded Court yesterday at the Old Bailey when the trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor on charges under the Criminal Law Amendment Act entered upon its final stage, after having occupied four days, before Mr. Justice Charles and a jury. Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. H. Avory prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke, Q.C., Mr. Charles Matthews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys defended Oscar Wilde; Mr. J. P Grain and Mr. Paul Taylor defended Alfred Taylor. His Lordship on taking his seat at once commenced to sum up. The jury retired at 1.35, the judge having spoken three hours. At three o'clock a communication was brought from the jury, and conveyed by the Clerk of Arraigns to the Judge, and shortly afterwards the jury had luncheon taken in to them.

The jury returned into court at a quarter past five o'clock.

The Judge: - I have received a communication from you to the effect that you are unable to arrive at an agreement. Now, is there anything you desire to ask me in reference to the case?

The Foreman: I have put that question to my fellow jurymen, my lord, and I do not think there is any doubt that we cannot agree upon three of the questions. The Judge: I find from the entry which you have written against the various sub- division of No. 1 that you cannot agree as to any of those sub-divisions.

The Foreman: That is so my Lord. The Judge: Is that in regard to No. 4? The Foreman: Yes, and also as to No. 4. The Judge: Is there no prospect of agreement if you retire to your room? You have not been inconvenienced: I ordered what you required, and is there no prospect that with a little more deliberation you may come to some agreement as to some of them? The Foreman: My fellow-jurymen say there is no possibility. The Judge: I am very unwilling to prejudice your deliberations, and I have no doubt that you have done your best to arrive at an agreement. On the other hand, I would point out to you that the inconveniencies of a new trial are very great. If you thought that by deliberating a reasonable time you could arrive at a conclusion upon any of the questions I have asked you, I would ask you to do so.

The Foreman: - We considered the matter before coming into Court, and I do not think there is any chance of an agreement. We have considered it again and again. The Judge: If you tell me that I do not think I am justified in detaining you any longer.

Sir E. Clarke asked that a verdict should be given on the conspiracy counts. Mr. Gill opposed this, but the Judge said he directed the acquittal of the prisoners on the conspiracy counts that morning. He thought that was the best course to adopt; and the same remark might be made with regard to the two counts in which Taylor was charged with improper conduct towards Wood and Parker. It was unfortunate that the real and material matters which had occupied the attention of the jury for so many days were matters upon which the jury were unable to agree. Upon these matters and upon the counts which were concerned with them, he must discharge the jury.

Sir E. Clarke thereupon applied for bail for Mr. Wilde.

Mr. Hall made the same application for Taylor.

The Judge: I don't feel able to accede to the application.

Sir E. Clarke intimated that he might renew the application. The Judge: That would be done to the Judge in Chambers.

Mr. Gill said the case would certainly be tried again, and probably it would go to the next Sessions.

Prisoners were then conducted from the dock. Mr. Wilde had listened to the result without any show of feeling.