He declared that, in respect to matters connected with literature and the letters, he could not resist the verdict of "not guilty," having regard to the fact that Lord Queensberry had not used a direct accusation, but the words "posing as," etc.

Besides, he wished to spare the jury the necessity of investigating in detail matter of the most appalling character.

He wished to make an end of the case--and he sat down.
Why on earth did Sir Edward Clarke not advise Oscar in this way weeks before?
Why did he not tell him his case could not possibly be won?
I have heard since on excellent authority that before taking up the case Sir Edward Clarke asked Oscar Wilde whether he was guilty or not, and accepted in good faith his assurance that he was innocent.

As soon as he realised, in court, the strength of the case against Oscar he advised him to abandon the prosecution.

To his astonishment Oscar was eager to abandon it.