The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Saturday, April 27, 1895

THE OSCAR WILDE CASE.

LONDON, FRIDAY.
Oscar Wilde, aged 46, author, and Alfred Taylor, aged 32, no occupation, appeared in the dock at the Central Criminal Court to-day jointly charged with conspiring together to commit, and procure to be committed, certain acts of gross indecency. Both were also indicted for committing acts of indecency, and a further indictment against Taylor alleged that he attempted to commit an abominable crime. Mr. Justice Charles took his seat at half-past ten. Mr. Gill was the 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 rather an impassive air. 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 a conspiracy the accused were competent witnesses, on the other counts they were not competent witnesses. He, therefore, entered a demurer. Mr. Justice Charles overruled the objection, and both prisoners then pleaded not guilty. Sir E. Clarke then raised the further point that the prosecution must elicit whether they would proceed on the count of conspiracy or of misdemeanour. Mr. Justice Charles declined to put the prosecution to election as to the counts upon which they would offer evidence. Mr. Gill thereupon opened the case to the jury. At the outset he appealed to them to disregard any statements which might have been published concerning the prisoners, and then briefly stated the facts in the case of Wilde against Lord Queensberry, which had led to the apprehension of the two men now in the dock. Mr. Gill dealt with it in all the 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. Sir. E. Clarke examined Parker with the object of testing his credibility. The case was adjourned.