The Star - Thursday, May 23, 1895

THE TRIAL OF TAYLOR.

VERDICT.

The trial of Alfred Taylor on certain charges of misdemeanour was concluded at the Old Bailey on Tuesday before Mr. Justice W ills. The public gallery was again crowded as soon as the court was opened. The Solicitor General (Sip F. Lockwood), Mr. C. F. Gill, Mr. Horace Avory, and Mr. Sutton appeared for the prosecution; and Mr. J. P. Grain and Mr. W. Clark Hall defended.

The defendant, called by Mr. Grain, gave an emphatic denial to the whole of the allegations. In reply to questions as to the names persons with whom he associated, the witness hesitated, and asked the Judge if he might not write down the names. The Judge said that he could have no secrecy about the matter; if the names were written down, he should read them out. The practice was often adopted good-naturedly, but it led to a deal of suspicion, and did a deal of harm. Sir F. Lockwood was pleased to hear his lordship make these remarks. The witness, pressed further, said that he did not remember their names. He was introduced to Mr. Wilde by a friend named Schwabe.

Mr. Grain, continuing for the defence, asked the jury to place no reliance upon the testimony of blackmailers and accomplices, and having regard to the positive denial of his client and unsatisfactory character of the evidence called by the prosecution to acquit the prisoner, who was, he maintained, an innocent man. The Solicitor-General replied on behalf of the Crown. His Lordship commenced to sum up to the jury at 2.20. He said the case was a singular one both for the jury and himself, and his task would have been less difficult if the two men, Taylor and Wilde, had been tried together. It was a rule of thoroughly well-established practice that a man should not be convicted on the uncorroborated evidence of a person who was an accomplice, and it the rule were not observed, a great terror would be added to life. There were three charges against the prisoner in reference to |the Parkers, on which he directed a verdict of not guilty. His Lordship then reviewed the evidence on the remaining features of the case.

The jury retired at 3.25, and after an absence of about 20 minutes they sent a note to the Judge, who almost immediately returned to the bench, and directed the jury to be brought in. They returned into court at 3.46, and on being questioned, said they could not agree as to the charge of pro- curation. Mr. Lockwood, who was out of court when the jury returned, then came in, and Mr. Justice Wills informed him that the jury found Taylor guilty of committing improper acts with William and Charles Parker, but as to the count of procuring they were not prepared to give a verdict at present. He thought that perhaps justice would be satisfied by dropping that count. Sir F. Lockwood: So far as the prosecution are concerned, I take the verdict to which the jury have agreed. Mr. Grain also assented.

The Judge: Then we will discharge the jury on the count of procuration. He then ordered Taylor to stand down, and sentence was deferred. THE WILDE CASE. Sir E. Clarke was about to make some remarks concerning his client, but was interrupted by Sir F. Lockwood, who said it was not the time to make little speeches. Sir E. Clarke intimated that as Mr. Oscar Wilde was within the precincts of the court, he was ready to proceed with his trial. Sir F. Lockwood thought it would be better to leave the case till Wednesday, and the Judge concurring, this course was agreed to.