The St. James's Gazette - Thursday, May 2, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE TRIAL OF OSCAR WILDE.
THE JURY DISAGREE.
The trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was resumed at the Old Bailey yesterday. Mr. Justice Charles having summed up the case, the jury retired to consider their verdict at half-past one.
At three o'clock a communication was brought from the jury and conveyed by the clerk of arraigns to the judge. Shortly afterwards, in reply to their communication, the jury had luncheon taken in to them.
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 to them.
At 4.15 the judge sent for the Clerk of the Arraigns (Mr. Avory) who proceeded to his lordship's private room. Subsequently Mr. Avory went to the jury apparently with a communication from the judge. Mr. Avory returned in a few minutes, and proceeded at once to the judge's private room. At this time the jury had been absent two hours and three-quarters.
At 3-20 a disagreement seemed probable. At 4-15 the judge sent for the clerk of the arraigns. Mr. Avory, who proceeded to his Lordship's private room. Subsequently Mr. Avory went to the jury apparently with a communication from the judge. Mr. Avory returned in a few minutes, and proceeded at once to the judge's private room.
The jury returned into court after an absence of 3 hours and 40 min.
The judge said he had received a communication from them showing they were unable to arrive at any agreement. Was there anything which they desired to ask in which he could assist them in arriving at a verdict?
The foreman said he had put the question to his fellow jurymen, but they could not agree with regard to two of the questions.
The judge understood they could not agree with regard to the various sub-divisions in question No. 1, and also with regard to other questions.
The foreman said that was so.
The judge asked if there was any prospect of their agreeing if they deliberated a little longer.
The foreman: My fellow jurymen say there is no possibility, and that is the only result we can come to.
The judge pointed out that the expenses of another trial would be very great, and if they thought that by deliberation for a reasonable time they could arrive at a conclusion on the question, he would ask them to do so.
The foreman: We considered that matter before we came into court. I do not think there is any chance of agreeing. We have considered it again and again.
The judge: If you tell me that, I am not justified in detaining you any longer.
The Judge: That being so, I do not feel justified in detaining you any longer.
Mr. Justice Charles.-- If you tell me that, I do not think I am justified in detaining you in consultation any longer.
Sir Edward Clarke asked for a verdict of Not Guilty upon those counts upon which no evidence had been given.
Sir Edward Clarke asked that a verdict of acquittal on the conspiracy counts, upon which no evidence was offered, be returned by the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke asked that a verdict of acquittal on the conspiracy counts, upon which no evidence was offered, be returned by the jury.
The judge said he had already taken the necessary steps for that.
Mr. Gill remarked that his learned friend was not quite right in saying that no evidence was given on these particular counts.
The judge said he directed a verdict of acquittal on the conspiracy counts, and also upon the counts upon which no evidence for the consideration of the jury was offered. Unless Mr. Gill could satisfy him that he ought not to do so, he thought the proper course would be to enter the verdict on the record.
Mr. Gill said he thought evidence was given which would have a bearing on those counts in the course of the case.
The judge: You elected to ask the jury to answer questions limited to the other counts.
A verdict of Not Guilty on the counts of conspiracy and other counts was then entered, and the jury were discharged.
Sir E. Clarke: I have now to make an application that Oscar Wilde be admitted to bail. I should think that after what has taken place the Crown would make no objection.
Sir E Clarke: I have now to make an application that Oscar Wilde be admitted to bail. I should think that after what has taken place the Crown would make no objection.
Mr. Clarke Hall made the same application on behalf of Taylor.
The judge: I do not feel that I am able to accede to the applications.
Mr. Justice Charles: I do not feel able to accede to the application.
Mr. Justice Charles.-- I do not feel able to accede to the application.
Sir E. Clarke: I suppose that I may renew the application, on other material, to a judge in chambers?
Sir E. Clarke: I suppose that I may renew the application, on other material, to a Judge in chambers.
Sir Edward Clarke.-- May we renew the application on other materials to the Judge in Chambers?
Sir E. Clarke intimated that he might renew the application. The Judge: That would be done to the Judge in Chambers.
The judge: Yes, I think the application must be renewed in the ordinary way to a judge in chambers.
The Judge: Yes, I think the application must be renewed in the ordinary way to a Judge in chambers.
Mr. Justice Charles.-- If the application is renewed, it must be renewed in the usual way to a Judge in Chambers.
Mr. Gill: The case will certainly be tried again; but whether at the next session or not will depend upon what is the most convenient course. Probably the most convenient course will be that it should be taken at the next sessions.
Mr. Gill: The case will certainly be tried again; but whether at the next session or not will depend upon which is the most convenient course. Probably the most convenient course will be that it should be taken at the next sessions.
Wilde and Taylor were then conveyed to Holloway in the prison van. The next session of the Central Criminal Court commences on May 20.
Wilde and his fellow prisoner were conveyed, as before, to Holloway, in the prison van. The next session of the Central Criminal Court commences on May 20.