Irish Daily Independent - Monday, May 27, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE TRIAL OF OSCAR WILDE.
VERDICT AND SENTENCE.
London, Saturday Evening.
The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed at the Old Bailey today before Mr Justice Wills. The prisoner, who looked ill and anxious, having entered the dock, the Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said though Lord Queensberry resented the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued the intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended that it had been shown that the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed at the Old Bailey to-day before Mr Justice Wills. The prisoner, who looked ill and anxious, having entered the dock, the Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said though Lord Queensbery resented the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued the intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended that it had been shown that the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed at the Old Bailey on Saturday before Mr Justice Wills. The prisoner, who looked ill and anxious, having entered the dock, the Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said though Lord Queensbery resented the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued the intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended that it had been shown that the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed at the Old Bailey on Saturday before Mr Justice Wills. The prisoner, who looked ill and anxious, having entered the dock, the Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said though Lord Queensbery repeated the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued the intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended that it had been shown that the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
London, Saturday.The trial of Oscar Wilde was resumed at the Old Bailey to-day before Mr Justice Wills. The prisoner, who looked ill and anxious, having entered the dock, The Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said that though Lord Queensberry resented intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred the prisoner continued intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended it had been shown the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
The prisoner looked ill and anxious in the morning when the Court resumed. As soon as he had entered the dock the Solicitor-General resumed his speech for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas? Though Lord Queensberry resented the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued that intimacy and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. The learned counsel contended it had been shown that the prison was closely intimate with Taylor.
The Solicitor-General resumed his speech in reply for the prosecution. He asked what was the relationship of the prisoner with Lord Alfred Douglas, and said though Lord Queensberry resented the intimacy between the prisoner and Lord Alfred, the prisoner continued the intimacy, and flaunted Lord Alfred at hotels in London and the country. He contended that it had been shown the prisoner was closely intimate with Taylor.
Sir Edward said that was not borne out by evidence.
The Solicitor-General said that it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired that one man should go down and another be saved because of a false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said that it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired that one man should go down and another be saved because of a false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said that it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired that one man should go down and another be saved because of a false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired that one man should go down, and another be saved because of a false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired one man to go down and another to be saved because of the false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired one man to go down and another to be saved because of the false glamour of art.
The Solicitor-General said that it appeared as if counsel for the defence desired that one man should [...] and another [...] because of [...] of art.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
Sir Edward Clarke protested against this mode of appeal to the jury.
The Solicitor-General next referred the letter which referred to the "rose leaf lips and madness of kissing." The jury were tried to be put off with the story that this was a prose poem which they could not appreciate. They must thank God they could not. They could only appreciate it as its proper level which was somewhat lower than a beast’s. His learned friend had warned the jury lest by their verdict they should enable blackmailing to rear its head unblushingly. The jury must believe the evidence of Parker and Wood, because no motive had been shown why they should deceive them. He submitted that the conflict of testimony only happened at the point where admission stopped and actual confession commenced. In conclusion, he said he had pointed out the strength of the case, and he now had to ask the jury to do their duty in the case. They had nothing to do with Oscar Wilde’s literary past or future. He had a right to be acquitted if they believed him innocent. But if, on their consciences, they believed that he was guilty of these charges, then they had only to follow closely the obligation of the oath which had been imposed upon them.
His Lordship, in summing up, that this was a very painful and shocking case, which necessitated a cold and calm administration of justice, in order that due protection should be afforded to the defendant. For himself he would rather try a most shocking murder case than be engaged in trying one of these cases. He could not, however, say that his sense of difficulty was increased in this case by any consideration of the education or culture of the person accused, because having regard to the result of the Queensberry libel case they need not distress themselves by ordinary considerations which would add to their distress, in the case of persons of education or of culture. With regard to the course which this case had taken, he thought it fortunate that the jury had disagreed in the first case and that Wilde and Taylor were now tried separately. Though he thought the trials should have been taken in a different order, he did not think that the defendant in the present case had suffered one hairsbreadth by the fact that Taylor was tried first. Something had been said as to the hardships upon the defendant in having to appear three times in the witness box, but in cases where there were circumstances of grave suspicion and conduct which had to be explained, and which could be explained by the defendant, the practice of allowing defendants to give evidence in their own defence was to his mind, a circumstance of the utmost vains in the administration of justice. They were substantially four charges involved in this case. There was alleged misconduct with Wood, alleged misconduct with Parker, and two matters alleged at the Savoy Hotel. Before he entered upon this case he wished to say that he thought it would be a bad day for the administration of justice in England when juries ceased either to take their direction upon points which lay within his own proper province from the judge or surrendered to another their own inherent judgement of the facts that were before them. In this case he could not give a simple colorless summing up which was no good to anybody, but he hoped that in respect of any opinions which might be hinted at in anything he might say that they would regard them, not as opinions which were to guide them, but as matters they were to criticize and see whether they were justified. He would not address himself in the case of Wood. It was unfortunate that in dealing with Wood’s case he must deal with a good deal that affected Lord Alfred Douglas, who was not a party to these proceedings, and could not give evidence.
A juror — He would be here.
His Lordship said he could not volunteer himself. He was anxious, in the case of a young man like this, to say nothing that might help to blast his career in life, but that did not in the least relieve him from the necessity of investigating the facts of this case. With regard to these charges the defendant was entitled to the full benefit of the observation that these matters were alleged to have taken place two or three years ago. But they must not forget that these charges had grown out of the writing of these letters to this young man. It was a matter for the grave consideration of the jury as to whether the letter referring the madness of kissing pointed as unclean relations and appetites on both sides. He would not invite their attention to any particular expression in that letter. It was Lord Alfred Douglas who sent Wood to the defendant. They were not to believe anything simply because Wood said it. That would be absurd. Wood belonged to a vile class, and was at least acting with a gang of blackmailers and a gang of people addicted to certain practices, and it was probable that that sort of person would do the same thing himself. The case as to Wood seemed to him to depend upon what they thought was the character of the original introduction — whether it was stamped with charity, kindness, and goodwill, or whether it was for a wicked purpose.
His lordship said: He could not volunteer himself. He was anxious in the case of a young man like this to say nothing that might help to blast his career in life, but that did not in the least relieve him from the necessity of investigating the facts of this case. With regard to these charges the defendant was entitled to the full benefit of the observation that these matters were alleged to have taken place two or three years ago, but they must not forget that these charges had grown out of the writing of these letters to this young man. It was a matter for the grave consideration of the jury as to whether the letter referring to the madness of kissing pointed to unclean relations and appetites on both sides. It was Lord Alfred Douglas who sent Wood to the defendant. The case as to Wood seemed to him to depend upon what they thought was the character of the original introduction, whether it was stamped with charity, kindness, and good will, or whether it was for a wicked purpose.
The Foreman of the Jury — The jury are very anxious to know whether, in view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, a warrant for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas was ever issued.
The Foreman of the Jury: The jury are very anxious to know whether, in view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, a warrant for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas was ever issued.
The foreman of the jury interposed with the question: "In view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Wood, was a warrant ever issued for the apprehension of Lord Alfred Douglas?"
The Foreman of the Jury interposed with the question: "In view of the intimacy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Would, was a warrant ever issued for the apprehension of Lord Alfred Douglas?"
His Lordship — I should think not.
The Foreman — Or was ever contemplated?
His Lordship — That I cannot say.
The Foreman — The jury wish to know whether, if they deduce guilt from these letters, it will affect Lord Alfred Douglas as well as the defendant.
The jury wish to know whether, if they deduce guilt from these letters, it will affect Lord Alfred Douglas as well as the defendant?
The Foreman: It seems to us that if we induce any guilt from these letters it applies as much to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman: It seems to us that if we adduce any guild from these letters if applies as much to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman—But if we are to deduce guilt from the letters it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
The Foreman.— If we are to deduce any guilt from these letters, it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the Defendant.
The Foreman: If we are to deduce any guilt from these letters, it applies equally to Lord Alfred Douglas as to the defendant.
His Lordship said he thought the receipt of these letters, and the continued intimacy was as damaging to the reputation of the recipient as of the sender, but that had nothing to do with the present inquiry. The question was whether guilt was brought home to the man in the dock.
His Lordship said he thought the receipt of these letters and the continued intimacy was as damaging to the reputation of the recipient as of the sender, but that had nothing to do with the present inquiry. The question was whether guilt was brought home to the man in the dock.
In answer to another question by the foreman his lordship said the receipt of this letters and the continuance of the intimacy was as damaging to the reputation of the recipient as to the sender; but that had nothing to do with the case. The question was whether guilt had been brought home to the man in the dock.
In answer to another question by the foreman, his lordship said the receipt of this letter and the continuance of the intimacy was as damaging to the reputation of the recipient as to the sender, but that had nothing to do with this case. The question was whether guilt had been brought home to the man in the dock.
His Lordship said the warrant had not issued. In answer to another question by the foreman, his lordship said the receipt of this letter and the continuance of the intimacy was as damaging to the reputation of the recipient as to the sender,but that bad nothing to to do with this case. The question was whether guilt had been brought home to the man in the dock. The jury retired at 3.30.
At this point the Court adjourned for luncheon.
On resuming after luncheon.
His Lordship again referred to the inquiries by the jury regarding Lord Alfred Douglas. The suspicion was that Lord Alfred Douglas would be spared if he was guilty simply because he was Lord Alfred Douglas. That was a matter that they could not discuss, and he asked them to disregard ant such considerations as that. The present inquiry was whether the man in the dock had been guilty of these immoral practices with certain persons, of whom Lord A Douglas was not one. He next came to deal with the case of Parker, and they had to account for the defendant’s association with him. That was one of the crucial points in this inquiry. They must remember in this connection that it was stated that Parker got as introduction to Wilde because he wished to go on the stage. That statement was borne out by Parker himself. With regard to the two remaining charges he did not think that, in view of the lapse of time that had occurred, it would be safe to rely on the evidence of the masseur. The chambermaid’s case was, however, very different. It was a very remarkable story. The question was whether they were satisfied Alfred Douglas’s. As to letters obtained from Wood, if neither Wood nor Parker attempted to blackmail defendant when there was an opportunity they might be sure there was no ground for it. In conclusion, his lordship said he had done his best to hold the balance fairly, and he thought with the help of counsel all prejudice had been kept out of the case.
The jury retired precisely at 3 30 pm. After the jury had retired the prisoner left the dock by the staircase leading into the cells below, and at the same time Lord Douglas of Hawick left the court. The Marquis of Queensberry did not put in appearance after luncheon.
At 5 25 the jury, who had previously sent a communication to the judge, returned into court. The foreman said they wished to hear the evidence of the waiter at 10 St James’s street read over. The judge complied, and said there was not evidence that Parker slept at that house. The jury then again retired, and after an absence of a few minutes returned with a verdict of guilty upon all the counts of the indictment.
At 5.25 the jury, who had previously sent a communication to the judge, returned into court. The foreman said they wished to hear the evidence of the waiter at 10 St. James’s street read over. The judge complied, and said there was not evidence that Parker slept at that house.
At 6.25 the jury, who had previously sent a communication to the judge, returned into court. The foreman said they wished to hear the evidence of the waiter at 10 St. James’s street read over. The judge complied, and said there was not evidence that Parker slept at that house.
Taylor was then placed in the dock alongside Wilde.
Sir E Clarke appealed for the postponement of sentence till the next sessions on the ground that a demurrer of that indictment was bad had not been argued.
Sir Edward Clarke appealed for the postponement of sentence until next sessions on the ground that a demurrer that the indictment was bad had not been argued.
Sir Edward Clarke appealed for the postponement of sentence until next sessions on the ground that a demurrer that the indictment was bad had not been argued.
Sir Edward Clarke applied for a postponement of sentence until the next Sessions, on the ground that a demurrer had to be argued affecting the validity of the indictment.
His Lordship said the passing of sentence would not interfere with the argument, and he thought it right to complete the case at once. Addressing the defendants, he said that the jury had arrived at a correct verdict. He could not entertain a shadow of a doubt. He hoped those who sometimes imagined that a judge was half hearted in the cause of decency and morality, because he took care that prejudice was not allowed to enter into the case, would see that that was consistent with a stern sense of indignation at the horrible crime which had been brought home to both of them. There could be no doubt that Taylor had kept a kind of male brother, and that Wilde had been guilty of acts of a hideous kind it was equally impossible to doubt. In such circumstances he should pass the severest sentence which the law allowed him, and which was totally inadequate to such a case of this. Wilde and Taylor would each be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.
His lordship said the passing of sentence would not interfere with the argument, and he thought it right to complete the case at once. Addressing the defendants, he said that the jury had arrived at a correct verdict, and he could not entertain a shadow of a doubt. He hoped those who sometimes imagined that a judge was half-hearted in the cause of morality, because he took care that prejudice was not allowed to enter into the case, would see that that was consistent with a stern sense of indignation at the crime which had been brought home to both of them. In such circumstances he should pass the severest sentence which the law allowed him, and which was totally inadequate to such a case as this. Wilde and Taylor would each be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.
His lordship said the passing of sentence would not interfere with the argument, and he thought it right to complete the case at once. Addressing the defendants, he said that the jury had arrived at a correct verdict, and he could not entertain a shadow of a doubt. He hoped those who sometimes imagined that a judge was half-hearted in the cause of morality, because he took care that prejudice was not allowed to enter into the case, would [ . . . ] that that was consistent with a stern sense of indignation at the crime which had been brought home to both of them. In such circumstances he should pass the severest sentence which the law allowed him, and which was totally inadequate to such a case as this. Wilde and Taylor would each be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for two years.
Taylor, on hearing the sentence, hurried from the dock, but Wilde, who seemed quite dazed, stood with fixed gaze and trembling hands, and look as if about to faint. Two warders were quickly at his side, but Wilde help up his hands as if to keep them off, and addressed the court in a few unintelligible words. He was then hurried below.
Taylor, on hearing the sentence, hurried from the dock, but Wilde, who seemed quite dazed, stood with fixed gaze and trembling hands, and looked as if about to faint. Two warders were quickly at his side, but Wilde held up his hands as if to keep them off, and addressed the court in a few unintelligible words. He was then hurried below.
Taylor, on hearing the sentence, hurried from the dock, but Wilde, who seemed quite dazed, stood with fixed gaze and trembling hands, and looking as if about to faint. Two warders were quickly at his side, but Wilde held up his hands as if to keep them off, and addressed the court in a few unintelligible words. He was then hurried below.
London, Sunday. Immediately after the passing of sentence on Wilde and Taylor the prisoners were removed to the cells in Newgate Prison, adjoining the Central Criminal Court, pending the preparation of the legal warrants authorizing their detention for two years. Both were suffering from nervousness, and betrayed their mental anxiety. From the first they were separated, but travelled in the same prison van to Pentonville Prison, where they will serve the preliminary portion of the sentence, a period to be eventually decided by the officials of the jail. When handed over to the Governor of Pentonville the prisoners were taken separately to the reception ward and each had to give details of his identity and religion and submit to a medical examination, after which they passed through the hands of the prison bathroom attendants and barber, and exchanged their own clothes for prison garb, being afterwards handed over to the care of the chaplain.
On Saturday evening, immediately following the passing of the sentence, Wilde and Taylor were removed to cells in Newgate Prison, adjoining the Central Criminal Court pending the preparation of the legal warrants authorizing their detention for two years. Both were suffering from nervousness and betrayed great mental anxiety. From the first they were separated, but traveled in the same prison van to Pentonville Prison, where they will serve the preliminary portion of the sentence. When handed over to the Governor of Pentonville the prisoners were taken separately to the reception ward, and each had to give details of his identity and religion and submit to a medical examination, after which they passed through the hands of the prison bathroom attendants and barber and exchanged their own clothes for prison garb, being afterward handed over to the care of the chaplain. Yesterday they attended the prison chapel with the other occupants of the gaol, and with the exception of exercise time they were confined to their cells, where they will in future be kept unless their health becomes such as to entitle them to infirmary treatment.
On Saturday evening, immediately following the passing of the sentence, the prisoners were removed to the cells in Newgate Prison adjoining the Central Criminal Court pending the preparation of the legal warrants authorising their detention for two years. Both were suffering from nervousness, and betrayed their mental anxiety. From the first they were separated, but travelled in the same prison van to Pentonville Prison, where they will serve the preliminary portion of the sentence, a period to be eventually decided by the officials of the gaol. When handed over to the Governor of Pentonville the prisoners were taken separately to the reception ward.
On Saturday evening, immediately following the passing of the sentence, the prisoners were removed to the cells in Newgate Prison adjoining the Central Criminal Court pending the preparations of the legal warrants authorising their detention for two years. Both were suffering from nervousness, and betrayed their mental anxiety. From the first they were seperated, but travelled in the same prison van to Pentonville Prison, where they will serve the preliminary portion of the sentence, a period to be eventually decided by the officials of the gaol. When handed over to the Governor of Pentonville the prisoners were taken separately to the reception ward.
The Press Association says—On last Saturday evening, immediately following the passing of the sentence on Wilde and Taylor, the prisoners were removed to the cells in Newgate Prison, adjoining the Central Criminal Court, pending the preparation of the legal warrants authorising their detention for two years. Both were suffering from nervousness, and betrayed their mental anxiety. From the first they were separated, but travelled in the same prison van to Pentonville Prison, where they will serve the preliminary portion of the sentence, a period to be eventually decided by the officials of the jail. When handed over to the governor of Pentonville the prisoners were taken separately to the reception ward, and each had to give details of his identity, religion, and submit to medical examination, after which they passed through the hands of the prison bathroom attendants and barber, and exchanged their own clothes for the prison garb, being afterwards handed over to the care of the chaplain. Yesterday they attended the prison chapel with the other occupants of the jail, and, with the exception of exercise time, they were confined to their cells, where they will in future be kept, unless their health becomes such as to entitle them to infirmary treatment, in which event the prison doctor will decide the nature of the work they must perform. By the terms of their sentence they will be isolated from their friends, except upon four occasions each year, and even this privilege may be forfeited by indifferent conduct.
Today they attended the prison chapel with the other occupants of the jail, and with the exception of exercise time that were confined to their cells, where they will in future be kept unless their health becomes such as to entitle them to infirmary treatment, in which event the prison doctor will decide the nature of the work they must perform. By the terms of their sentence they will be isolated from their friends except upon four occasions each year, and even this privilege may be forfeited by indifferent conduct.
Yesterday they attended the prison chapel with the other occupants of the gaol, and, with the exception of exercise time, they were confined to their cells, where they will in future be kept, unless their health becomes such as to entitle them to the infirmary treatment, in which event the prison doctor will decide the nature of the work they must perform. By the terms of their sentence they will be isolated from their friends except upon four occasions each year, and even this privilege may be forfeited by indifferent conduct.