Galignani Messenger - Tuesday, April 23, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
SEVERAL SENSATIONAL CASES.
RECORDER'S CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY.
LONDON, April 22.
The April Sessions of the Central Criminal Court commenced to-day at the Old Bailey in the presence of the Lord Mayor, the Recorder, and a number of Aldermen.
The Recorder, in charging the grand jury, said that although the number of prisoners for trial was slightly in excess of the average number of prisoners they had to deal with at the monthly sessions of the court, he was happy to see that there was an absence of the more serious charges involving loss of human life.
As to the case against Oscar Wilde and Arthur Taylor, it was not necessary for him to allude to the facts. They would see what the charges were, and ir was only necessary for him to say that after they had heard the evidence of the witnesses called before the magistrate they would no doubt consider it their duty to return a true bill in respect of all the offences with which the prisoners were charged.
As to the case against Oscar Wilde and Arthur Taylor it was not necessary for him to allude to the facts. They would see what the charges were, and it was only necessary for him to say that after they had heard the evidence of the witnesses called before the magistrate they would no doubt consider it their duty to return a true bill in respect of all the offences with which the prisoners were charged.
The Recorder, in charging the Grand Jury, said that there were very serious charges against two men named Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor. The Grand Jury would see what the charges were, and it was only necessary for him to say that, after they had heard the evidence of the witnesses called before the police magistrate, they would no doubt consider it their duty to return a true bill as to all the charges. The Grand Jury then retired to their duties.
A man named James Slater was indicted for publishing a series of scandalous libels of and concerning Baron Henry de Worms. The prisoner had been repeatedly cautioned against writing the letter, which accused the Baron of being his (the prisoner's) father, but inasmuch as the Baron was only four years of age at the time the prisoner as born the grand jury would see the absurdity of the charge. The prisoner all along said: "Well, I did not ask you for any money, did I?" but the grand jury would see by the tenour of the letters whether this was not his object. The grand jury would probably come to the conclusion that the letters constituted a series of scandalous libels.
A man named James Slater was indicted for publishing a series of scandalous libels of and concerning Baron Henry de Worms. The prisoner had been repeatedly cautioned against writing the letters, which accused the Baron of being his (the prisoner’s) father, but, inasmuch as the Baron was only four years of age at the time the prisoner was born the grand jury would see the absurdity of the charge. The prisoner all along said, "Well, I did not ask you for any money, did I?" but the grand jury would see by the tenour of the letters whether this was not his object. The grand jury would probably come to the conclusion that the letters constituted a series of scandalous libels.
Mr. Horace Avory said he was desired by the Attorney-General to apply that the indictment against the Liberator Directors might be postponed until next sessions. The reasons for that course would probably be obvious to his lordship; and as the accused had had notice of the application and did not object, he asked that the recognisances should be enlarged until next sessions, and that the bill of indictment might be presented at those sessions. The application was granted by the Recorder.
Mr. Horace Avory said he was desired by the Attorney General to apply that the indictment against Brock and others might be postponed until next sessions. The reasons for that course would probably be obvious to his lordship, and as the accused had had notice of the application and did not object, he asked that the recognizances should be enlarged until the next sessions and that the bill of indictment might be presented at those sessions. The application was granted by the recorder.
Mr. C. F. Gill said he had to apply for a day to be fixed for what is known as the "Cash for Brains" case. He understood that it was not likely that the case would occupy any length of time. The accused were admitted to bail last sessions, and the police had received information that possibly the defendants would not be present for trial. It was, however, desirable to fix the date for the trial, so that the defendants might have a definite time to surrender. The Recorder said the case would be fixed for Wednesday.
Mr. C.F. Gill said he had to apply for a day to be fixed for this case. He understood that it w.is not likely that the case would occupy any length of time. The accused were admitted to bail last sessions, and the police lad received information that possibly the defendants would not be present for trial. It was, however, desirable to fix the date for the trial, so that the defendants might have a definite time to surrender. The Recorder said the case would be fixed for Wednesday.
If a true bill be found in the case of Wilde and Taylor, Sir Edward Clarke, for the defence, will apply for the postponement of the trial until the next sessions. Mr. Gill, on behalf of the Treasury, will oppose the application.
An evening paper states that if a true bill be found Sir Edward Clarke, for the defence, will apply for a postponement of the trial until next sessions. Mr. Gill on behalf of the Treasury will oppose the application.