Precedent was silent now but prejudice was strong as ever.
The case against Taylor went on the whole day and was resumed next morning.

Taylor went into the box and denied all the charges.

The Judge summed up dead against him, and at 3.30 the jury retired to consider their verdict: in forty-five minutes they came into court again with a question which was significant.

In answer to the judge the foreman stated that "they had agreed that Taylor had introduced Parker to Wilde, but they were not satisfied with Wilde's guilt in the matter." Mr.Justice Wills: "Were you agreed as to the charge on the other counts ?" Foreman: "Yes, my Lord." Mr.Justice Wills: "Well, possibly it would be as well to take your verdict upon the other counts." Through the foreman the jury accordingly intimated that they found Taylor guilty with regard to Charles and William Parker.
In answer to his Lordship, Sir F.Lockwood said he would take the verdict given by the jury of "guilty" upon the two counts.
A formal verdict having been entered, the judge ordered the prisoner to stand down, postponing sentence.

Did he postpone the sentence in order not to frighten the next jury by the severity of it?
Other reason I could find none.
Sir Edward Clarke then got up and said that as it was getting rather late, perhaps after the second jury had disagreed as to Mr.Wilde's guilt-- Sir F.Lockwood here interposed hotly: "I object to Sir Edward Clarke making these little speeches." Mr.Justice Wills took the matter up as well.
"You can hardly call it a disagreement, Sir Edward," though what else he could call it, I was at a loss to imagine.
He then adjourned the case against Oscar Wilde till the next day, when a different jury would be impanelled.