Dublin Daily Express - Thursday, May 23, 1895

London, Wednesday.

At the Central Criminal Court to-day, before Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde was put upon his trial for the second time. Sir Frank Lockwood, Mr C F Gill, and Mr Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution, and the prisoner was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr Chas Matthews, and Mr Travers Humphreys. The court was densely crowded. Wilde entered the court at 10.30, and at once entered the dock.

Sir Frank Lockwood, in opening the case, said the prisoner was charged under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. Defendant was a man of literary attainment and an author of dramatic works. Counsel then gave a detailed statement of the alleged acts, and the accomplices, and stated that the evidence of the witness would be corroborated up to the limit within which corroboration of secret deeds was possible.

Edward Shelly was the first witness called. He deposed to meeting Wilde and accepting an invitation to dinner. His acquaintance with Wilde continued for three months, and in consequence he lost his berth. A number of letters from witness to Wilde were read, thanking defendant for his many kindnesses to witness, and appealing for help. In cross-examination witness admitted that several statements contained in those letters were either exaggerations or untruths, and that when they were written he was becoming very unwell mentally through overstudy. He was very unwell in August, 1894, but there was nothing the matter with him now.

The proprietor of the Albemarle Hotel deposed to Wilde staying there and being visited by persons who apparently were not gentlemen. Alfred Wood then repeated the evidence which has already been published as to his meeting Oscar Wilde at the Cafe Royal, with whom, after a sumptuous supper, he went home.

Charles Parker was the next witness. He repeated the evidence already published as to his meeting Taylor, who introduced him to Wilde, and subsequently going to the Savoy Hotel. Cross-examined witness admitted he had received £30 from Allen, who had obtained a large sum from a gentleman. The case was adjourned.

Belfast News-Letter - Thursday, May 23, 1895

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, before Justice Wills, Oscar Wilde was put upon his trial for the second time on a charge of committing indecent acts. Sir Frank Lockwood, Mr. C. F. Gill and Mr. Horace Avory appeared for the prosecution; and the prisoner was defended by Sir Edward Clarke, Mr. Chas.Matthews, and Mr.Travers Humphreys. The court was densely crowded. Wilde came into the court at 10-30, and at once entered the dock. Sir Frank Lockwcod, in opening the case, explained the charges against the defendant, and gave a detailed statement of the occasions on which the prosecution would rely. Edward Shelley was the first witness examined. His evidence referred to the period of three months after he became acquainted with the accused. A number of letters from witness to Wilde were read, thanking the defendant for his many kindnesses to witness, and appealing for help. In cross-examination witness admitted that several statements contained in these letters were either exaggerations or untruths, and that when they were written he was becoming very unwell mentally. This was through over-study, and he was very unwell in August, 1894, but there was nothing the matter now. Evidence was given by Mr. Matthews, publisher, of Vigo Street, as to Shelley being in his employ, and the proprietor of Albemarle Hotel deposed to Wilde staying there, and being visited by persons who apparently were not gentlemen. Wood then repeated the evidence which has already been given. In cross-examinatton the witness admitted that he had received £175 from a man named Allen, who had obtained £400 blackmail. Charles Parker was the next witness. He repeated the evidence already published as to meeting Taylor, who introduced him to Wilde, and subsequently going to the Savoy Hotel. Cross-examined—Witness was the Parker who had received £30 from Allen, who had obtained a large sum of money frem a gentleman. The case was adjourned until to-day.

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