Dublin Daily Express - Saturday, April 27, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
TRIAL OF OSCAR WILDE.
London, Friday.
Oscar Wilde, forty, author, and Alfred Taylor, thirty-three, no occupation, appeared in the dock at the Central
Criminal Court to-day, charged under three different indictments with conspiring to commit and committing criminal offences.
Oscar Wilde (40), author, and Alfred Taylor (33), no occupation, appeared in the dock at the Central Criminal Court to-day on several indictments charging them with committing grave offences.
Mr Justice Charles took his seat at half-past ten.
Mr Gill was leading counsel for the Treasury, and Sir Edward Clarke conducted the defence, several junior counsel holding briefs on both sides. The witness Mayor also was legally represented. Wilde appeared in the dock looking ill, and evidently suffering from acute mental depression, but his companion viewed the scene with a rather impassive air.
Mr Gill was leading counsel for the Treasury and Sir Edward Clarke conducted the defence, several junior counsel holding briefs on both sides. Wilde appeared in the dock looking ill, and evidently suffering from acute mental depression, but his companion viewed the scene with a rather impassive air.
Sir E Clarke took a preliminary objection that the prisoners could not be called upon to plead, because under that portion of the indictment which alleged conspiracy the accused were competent witnesses, while on other counts they were not competent witnesses. He therefore entered a demurrer.
Sir Edward Clarke took a preliminary objection that the prisoners could not be called upon to plead, because under that portion of the indictment which alleged conspiracy the accused were competent witnesses; on the other counts they were not competent witnesses. He, therefore, entered a demurrer.
Mr Justice Charles declined to put the prosecution to election as to the counts upon which they would offer evidence.
Mr Justice Charles declined to put the prosecution to election as to the counts upon which they would offer evidence.
Mr Gil thereupon opened the case to the jury. At the outset he appealed to theme to disregard any statements which might have been published concerning the prisoners, and briefly stated the facts in the action of Wilde against Lord Queensberry, which had led to the apprehension of the two men now in the dock. Mr Gill dealt with in all twenty-five separate counts, and concluded by saying that he had little doubt the Treasury would bring them all home to the accused. During the greater part of the learned counsel’s address Wilde sat dejectedly with his hand to his face, but Taylor seemed to be less impressed.
Charles Parker, valet, the first witness for the Crown, told the story of his introduction to Wilde by Taylor.
On the Court resuming after luncheon Sir E Clarke cross-examined Parker with the object of testing his credibility. He admitted taking away clothes belonging to a former employer.
Wm Parker, brother to Charles, gave evidence in support of the more serious counts of the indictment preferred against Taylor. Mrs Grant, who occupied part of 13 Little College street, described his apartments there and his habits of life. Testimony was adduced as to Wilde’s visit to Parker at 50 Park walk, Chelsea.
The case was adjourned.