Galignani Messenger - Sunday, April 21, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE SOCIETY SCANDAL
QUESTION OF BAIL.
COUNSEL FOR OSCAR WILDE.
LONDON, April 20.
I have the highest authority for stating that nothing has yet been done in respect to making an application for bail in the case of Oscar Wilde, owing to the fact that two of the counsel who will defend the prisoner are at present out of town.
On Monday next a conference will take place, when it will be definitely decided whether an application shall be made to postpone the hearing to the next Old Bailey Sessions, or whether it shall be allowed to go on in the ordinary way, in which event the case, it is expected, will be taken on Friday next. In this event no application will be probably be made, owing to the fact that after the learned judge has fixed the amount of the bail, it is necessary to give 48 hours notice to the police, so that they can inquire as to the substatiability of the proposed sureties.
If the application is made on Monday, and granted, Wilde could not be liberated until Wednesday, and little good would be served by the action. Should it be decided at the conference on Monday to ask for a postponement. bail will undoubtedly be applied for.
It is considered in legal circles that the judge is bound to grant bail on a charge which only amounts to a misdemeanour. This view is supported by two decisions, though there is an instance in which it was disallwed by a High Court judge. The magistrate, however, can exercise his discertion in such a matter.
The gentlemen, who will defend Wilde are the same as were briefed in his action against the Marquis of Queensberry -- namely, Sir Edward Clarke, Mr. Charles Mathews, and Mr. Travers Humphreys.