Editing 28 Mar 1895 - The Globe (London)

<b>[[Case File: Oscar Wilde]]</b>

Page 5, Column 4, Link

<b><center>THE QUEENSBERRY-WILDE CASE</center></b>
<center>DATE OF HEARING FIXED</center>

At the Central Criminal Court to-day, before Mr. Justice Collins, Mr. C. F. Gill, who appeared with Mrs. Carson, Q. C., for the defence, said he desired to mention the case of the Marquis of Queensberry, who was charged with having libelled Mr. Oscar Wilde. At the police-court it was intimated that the libel would be justified, and it was proposed to take that course. Under ordinary circumstances the case would have stood over to the next sessions, subject to the sanction of the court., in order that the defence might prepare and put in the plea of justification within a week of the next Sessions. The defendant, however, was very desirous of having the case tried speedily, and this wish had been communicated to Mr. Charles Mathews (who, with Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., appeared fo rthe prosecution). The prosecutor had also expressed a desire that the tiral should take place as soon as possible; so, under those circumstances, he had to apply to his Lordship to fix the case for hearing on Wednesday next. This would be convenient to Mr. Carson and himself. He had intimated the character of the plea of justification to Mr. Mathews, and he had undertaken to delivery that plea to the prosecution not later that Saturday moring next. - Mr. Mathews, who, with Sir E. Clarke, Q.C., will conduct the prosecution, said that it was very desirable that the case should be speedily heard; and if his Lordship would accede to the application, it would be not only convenient to all parties, but would meet the justice of the case. - Mr. Justice Collins said that he thought that it was very desirable a case of this kind should be disposed of as quickly as possible. He would, therefore, fix the trial for hearing on Wednesday morning next, but subject to any other part heard case.