The Evening Journal - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

London, May 22.- The second trial of Oscar Wilde for unnatural practices began in the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, this morning. Wilde, upon entering court, was accompanied by but one of his sureties, the Rev. Stuart Headley, his other bondsman, Lord Douglas of Hawick, being in the Marlborough st. police court. Wilde looked pale and haggard, being evidently greatly affected by the result of the trial of Taylor yesterday.

Edward Shelley was called to the stand, and repeated what he had previously testified to. He declared he had resented the overtures made to him by Wilde.

Sir Edward Clarke cross-examined Shelley severely who admitted he was mistaken in his testimony in the Bow street police court giving the time of his breaking off his intimacy with Wilde, and also admitted that Wilde did not mention or suggest any acts of misconduct after the first interview.

Wilde became indisposed at this point and was obliged to temporarily leave the dock. The examination of Shelley was meanwhile suspended. The proceedings were resumed in a few minutes.

Alfred Wood and Charles Parker were called to the stand and, repeated the testimony previously given by them, after which the court adjourned.

Times Union - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

LONDON, May 22. - The second trial of Oscar Wilde began in the central criminal court, Old Baily, this morning. Wilde, upon entering the court, was accompanied by but one of his sureties, the Rev. Stewart Headlam, his other bondsman, Lord Douglas, of Hawick being engaged in the Marlborough street police court, in defending himself against the charge of disorderly conduct. Wilde looked pale and haggard as he entered the dock, evidently being greatly affected by the result of the trial of Taylor yesterday.

Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C. M.P, conducted the prosecution. The alleged offense charged against Wilde, he said in his opening address ,occured between February, 1892, and October, 1893. He laid especial stress upon the charge in which Wilde was involved with Shelley.

Mr. Lockwood thought the jury should accept the prosecution's evidence as regarded Wilde’s mode of life at the Savoy hotel. Edward Shelley was called to the stand and repeated what he had previously testified to. Sir Edward Clarke cross-examined Shelley severely. Shelley admitted that he was mistaken in his testimony in the Bow street police court giving the time of his breaking off with Wilde.

Wilde became indisposed at this point and was obliged temporarily to leave the dock, the examination of Shelley was meanwhile suspended. The proceedings was resumed in a few minutes. Mr. Elkin Matthews, the publisher, deposed that Wilde was acquainted with Shelley.

Shelley's cross-examination being resumed he admitted that he had a brother who was insane. He also admitted having written a letter to Wilde in which he said: "I am afraid that sometimes I am not very sane, but I am certain that I am sane now." He maintained, however, that the charges he had made against Wilde were true. Alfred Wood and Charles Parker were called to the stand and repeated the testimony previously given by them, after which the court adjourned.

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