The New York Times - Thursday, May 23, 1895

LONDON, May 22. -- The second trial of Oscar Wilde began in the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, this morning.

Wilde looked pale and haggard, and for a few minutes he was obliged to quit the dock.

Sir Edward Clarke cross-examined Shelley, and made him admit that he was mistaken in his testimony in the Bow Street Police Court. Two other witnesses repeated testimony given at the first trial.

Wilde was not taken to jail, but was released overnight on bail, his old sureties qualifying.

The Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Douglas of Harwick, were arraigned in the Marlborough Street Police Court this morning to answer a charge of fighting in the street. The Marquis said that his son was the aggressor, having first assaulted him, and that he only struck back in self-defence.

Lord Douglas said he merely desired his father's assurance that he would cease writing letters to his wife, reviling her husband.

The Marquis, who wore a jaunty air, admitted that he had offered to fight his son, Lord Douglas of Harwick, anywhere or at any time for £10,000. The crowd cheered the Marquis as he drove away in a cab, and as earnestly hissed and hooted Lord Douglas as he took his departure.

The Marquis and his son were bound in sureties of £500 each to keep the peace for six months.

The Sun - Thursday, May 23, 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 only one of his sureties, the Rev. Stewart Headlam, his other bondsman, Lord Douglas of Haywick, being engaged in the Marlborough Street Police Court in defending himself against a charge of disorderly conduct. Wilde looked pale and haggard as he entered the dock. He had evidently been greatly affected by the result of the trial of Taylor yesterday.

Sir Frank Lockwood, Q.C., M.P., conducted the prosecution. The alleged offences 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. He declared that he had resented the overtures made to him by Wilde. Sir Edward Clark 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 intimacy with Wilde, and also admitted that while 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.

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.

Mr. Elkin Matthews, the publisher, deposed that Wilde was acquainted with Shelley.

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

Wilde was not taken to jail, but was released overnight on bail, his old sureties qualifying.

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