The Arizona Republican - Wednesday, April 3, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY will be tried as an ordinary citizen before a jury for his alleged libel of Oscar Wilde. Were the charge that of felony instead of misdemeanor, the ordinary courts would have no jurisdiction over him and his trial would take place in the House of Lords. The only peculiar privilege which the Marquis will enjoy, if he chooses to exercise it, will be the right to wear his hat in court, a favor denied to all commoners, under the penalty of being imprisoned for contempt.
The Marquis of Queensberry is being tried as an ordinary citizen, before a judge and a jury, for his offence in connection with his alleged libel of Oscar Wilde. This is due to the fact that criminal libel is not a felony, but a misdemeanor, and the only privilege which the marquis enjoys, if he chooses to exercise it, is the right to wear his hat in court, a favor denied to all other persons under the penalty of being imprisoned for contempt.